WOMEN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND POVERTY REDUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF IKOT EKPENE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Women development is important in to any society that aims to achievesustainable development. However, there are several challenges faced bywomen which ranges from lack of women's education, political participation,skills acquisition programs, financial empowerment. This study examinedwomen development strategies and poverty reduction in Ikot Ekpene LocalGovernment Area. Survey research design was used in the study. Two hundredand twenty-two thousand one hundred and fifty formed the population of thestudy. Taro Yamene's formula was used to determine the sample size of 380,while Chi- square served as the statistical tool of the study. “Participatoryempowerment theory” of Paulo Freire served as the theoretical frame work ofthe study. The findings recorded that women education, economicempowerment, skills acquisition and political participation, if properlyinstitutionalized in their favour will alleviate poverty in Ikot Ekpene LocalGovernment Area. The study concluded among others that by working together,we can create more just an equitable society where women and men can haveequal opportunities to thrive. The study recommended, among others, that skillsacquisition center in the like of Dakkada be establish in Ikot Ekpene LocalGovernment Area with resource persons drawn from the state technical schoolin the area to train and equip women as well as other vulnerable children withskills that will make them self-reliance.