NGOs and Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in North Western Cameroon
NGOs and Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in North Western Cameroon
초록/요약
This paper aims at explaining the situation of poor rural women in North Western Cameroon with attempts made at seeking ways to empower them economically. The effects of globalization have been transmitted to directly influence the primary assets holdings and, thus the poverty outcomes of the rural population. The World Bank reports posits that much of the world？s population live below 1$ US a day. This does note quite put into perspective the gamut of the sufferings in Africa and especially Cameroon. The groups of people who suffer most are the rural women because the survival of the family depends on them. Improving the economic status of women particularly that of the rural women in developing countries like Cameroon has over the years been the preoccupation of many development agencies. This could be because recent studies and observation of development agencies has shown that these women make a significant contribution to the fight against poverty and in nation building. Rural women in North Western, Cameroon for example, produce fresh fruits, vegetables, and other items for the urban markets. Most of these women further act as sale agents between the center of production and consumption. Unfortunately, because of the marginalized status of these women, they carry out all these activities under the appalling conditions. They are denied access to factors of production, innovations and technology, and sometimes, cultural practices keep them away from acquiring even basic education. Many local and international NGOs have identified themselves with the plight of these rural women in north western Cameroon and are determined to change the situation. These NGOs are involved in micro programmes and projects that encourage the participation of the women. These projects which are centered on the provision of credit, capacity building, self-employment, economic empowerment among others are gradually uplifting the hopes of many families in the area.. However, while these efforts are well intentioned and have the capacity to forge ahead the process of emancipating rural women, there is need for NGOs in the area to incorporate other agents of development in order to achieve better and sustainable results. This is because networking with other development agencies and the local government will go a long way to find lasting solutions to rural poverty. These NGOS thrive to find cost-effective ways of integrating micro-finance with other empowerment interventions, including group development and complementary services. Thus unless empowerment is an integral part of the economic planning process of Cameroon, the rapid expansion of micro-finance is unlikely to make more than a limited contribution to empowerment and definitely sustainable development. This project aims at examining the relationship between the rural women and NGOs in Bamenda. NGOs as oppose to other sectors of the society have more of an open handed management which encourage the people to get involve with the overall management of the NGO.
more목차
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Purpose of study 1
1.3 limitations of study 4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 8
2.1A look at the social, economic, political situation in Cameroon 8
2.2 NGOS in Cameroon an overview 15
2.3 The rural woman in the African society (roles, discriminations, economic, social and political situation) 19
2.4 Woman as change agents for development 22
2.5 Role of women in agricultural production and development 25
2.6 Women?s role in economic and social development 37
2.7 obstacles to women?s empowerment 40
2.8 A summary of literature review and its implications 41
CHAPTER 3: A CLOSER LOOK AT RURAL CAMEROON 46
3.1 Overview of the situation of rural women (poverty, hunger, health, access to land etc) 46
3.2 Trends of and policy issues pertaining to the situation of rural women in Bamenda-Cameroon 59
CHAPTER 4: NGO FRAMEWORK AND INTERVENTION 64
4.1 How NGOs Can Help (NGO, Common Initiative Groups, Community Based Groups) 64
4.2 NGO and the improvement of women?s Socio-economic empowerment in the study area 68
4.3 Grassroots Strategies of Women in the 21st century 89
4.4 Theoretical Implications 91
4.5 Flow chart of logic development 97
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 98
5.1 Conclusion 98
5.2 Recommendations 100
REFERENCES 103
