Gender Inclusion and Rural Women’s Attitudes toward CBARDP in Bauchi State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examines rural women’s attitudes toward the Community-Based Agriculture and Rural Development Project (CBARDP) in Bauchi State, Nigeria, with a focus on gender inclusion and participation in agricultural development initiatives. A qualitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 36 rural women selected using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that rural women generally have positive perceptions of the CBARDP programme, largely due to awareness created through community meetings and extension services. Participation in the programme enhanced farming knowledge, increased agricultural productivity, and improved household income. The study also found that the programme contributes to women’s empowerment by strengthening their confidence and decision-making capacity in agricultural activities. However, several challenges were identified, including limited access to credit facilities, inadequate extension services, and socio-cultural barriers such as restrictive gender norms and limited land ownership. The study concludes that while CBARDP has significantly improved rural women’s livelihoods, addressing institutional and socio-cultural constraints is essential for enhancing gender inclusion.
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References
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