Gender in Community Development

Globally women participation in community development has been generally less than encouraging despite their numerical strength. The importance of gender in community development has been a neglected issue. The situation has grown so worst that it has generated both national and international recognition.

Women are at the center of development nexus, in most communities, women have a pivotal role in economic development and in challenging poverty. They perform many of the agricultural tasks and raise small livestock, provide firewood and water, generate substantial income for the family budget from sale of handicrafts, a variety of grown and wild foods, firewood and other products, and care for their children and homesteads.

To accomplish their tasks, women are, formally or informally, resource managers. They must be fully involved in the decision-making process regarding community development.

There are various barriers to women participation in community development to include cultural practices, low level of women education and poverty.

How can gender contribute to best for development to ensure a better living in the community?

Tell us your thoughts and feelings about gender in community development.

These will serve the bases of our discussion on this edition of village square.