ABSTRACT

This work studied participation of women in infrastructural community development projects in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and Access the extent women organization participated in infrastructural community development projects in Ohafia LGA, Abia state. The total sample size was 400, which was obtained using Taro Yamani formula. The study adopted simple random technique to select 10 communities (Ebem, Amaekpu, Okagwe, Abiriba, Elu, Isi-Ugwu, Akanu, Adi-nduma Awoke, Okon, and Asaga) in Ohafia LGA. 40 women from 5 women organizations in each of the communities selected were sampled 400 respondents. The questionnaire was the instrument for data collection which was developed on 4-point rating scales. The questionnaire was administered and retrieved with the assistance of one woman leader in each of the selected communities. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistic, frequency count, mean, inferential statistic, simple regression analysis, percentage, T-test analysis and at 0.05 level of significance. The result from the study showed that 88.8% respondent are married, 35% were within the age bracket of 28- 37 years, 37% had the highest level of education as FSLC and GCE,62.5 had farming as their major occupation, 100% of the women belonged to age grade groups. Secondly, renovation of schools, periodic contribution participation in community organizations, women participation in equipping of schools facilities, problem of traditional beliefs encountered in participating in community development projects had a mean and std of 3.49 and X 0.51, 3.18 and X0.38,3.08 and X =1.16,3.64 and X0.48 respectively. It was recommended that Cultural and religious practices that deny women free access to land should be stopped and there should be re-orientation of men's mind set on women's empowerment and participation in development processes.