The impact of women on the growth and development of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Although women play very significant roles in various spheres of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, their contributions to the growth of the region are, often, not acknowledged or encouraged.The objective of this paper, therefore, is to highlight their roles and areas where they have positively impacted the development of the Niger Delta, as well as the avenues through which they can raise the bar in their developmental efforts in the region. The following are, therefore, identified as key areas where women have excelled and, if granted more opportunities, could greatly impact further advancement in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole: the family, the educational sector, the economic sector, the political sector, women groups, non governmental organizations and activists, and the creative industry.

Keywords: Niger Delta, women, gender equality, development, empowerment