Inculcating home economics based life skills in rural women in Anambra state Nigeria as a panacea for poverty alleviation

Abstract

Poverty among rural women in Nigeria hinders the economic and social
wellbeing of families. Alleviating such poverty is therefore a major issue for national survival. This study investigated the strategies for inculcating Home Economics based life (survival) skills among rural women as a panacea for poverty alleviation. The study was a descriptive survey that was based on two research questions. From a population of 1,815 respondents, purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 253 respondents (40 home economics teachers and 213 secretaries of registered women cooperative societies in ten Local government Areas of Anambra State. A questionnaire titled “Inculcating Home Economics-Based Life Skills for Poverty Alleviation (IHELSPA)” was used for data collection. Data was analysed using mean ratings. The findings included that several Home Economics based life skills could be inculcated among the rural women using a range of networking approaches. Among the recommendations was that Government and non-governmental organizations should mobilize communities, youth groups, and other private sector organizations to network and contribute in building the capacities of rural women in Home Economics based life (survival) skills