Unizik Journal of Gender Research

Gender and Health Seeking Behavior in Rural Nigeria

Ngozi Mary Obilor — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The need for positive health seeking behavior among gender cannot be overemphasized in social and economy development. But there seem to have been a gender disparity in health seeking behaviour among rural dwellers perhaps due to finance, social misconception, and area of residence. In view of this, this study investigated the factors that widen the disparity in health seeking behaviour in male and female. The health belief model of Hochbaum, Rosenstock and others was adopted in this study because, it explains the various reactions of people to healthcare. The study adopted a qualitative research design because the data for this
study was derived through qualitative method. Six rural areas were randomly selected from Borgu, Tambuwal, Numan, Afikpo, Boluwaduro and Obanliku LGA in each of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. One hospital was also selected using a probability sampling technique. Afterwards, 5 persons were selected as the sample for this study. Data was derived through in-depth interview and analysed using ethnographic summary and verbatim quotation. Findings revealed that, that there is gender disparity in health seeking behaviour between male and female and that women tend to display positive health seeking behavior than men. It was also revealed that factors that widen the disparity in health seeking behaviour in male and female are; belief system, income, and residence. Therefore, it was recommended that government and NGOs put in place poverty alleviation programme through skill acquisition programmes and interest free loan for small scale traders to provide the much-needed financial aid that enable rural dwellers access healthcare.

Women Empowerment and Accessibility of Microfinance Bank (Mfb) Services in Anambra, State, Nigeria

Olisaemeka Dennis Maduka, Alex Orji, Ogochukwu Edith Nkamnebe — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Years after formulating the Microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework (MPRSF) in 2005 and, the establishment of MFBs in 2006, the economy is still faced with the problems of poverty and lack of access to finance by women as only 33% of them have access to formal financial institutions. This study examines the effects of MFBs on women empowerment in Anambra State, Nigeria. This study adopts Microfinance theory of change as its theoretical framework and data were collected through 500 questionnaires distributed to female customers of selected MFBs through multiple sampling technique with 410 returned. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Findings showed that through the accessibility of financial and non-financial services of MFBs, women income and capacity to own productive assets/inputs have relatively improved. The study therefore recommends that MFBs should concentrate more in rural areas and charge interest rate of less than 5% to women entrepreneurs/farmers for productivity and increased participation in economic activities.

Coalition-Building for Women’s Empowerment in Africa’s Informal Sector

Queensley C. Chukwudum — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

African women working in the informal sector are in the majority nevertheless, their national and regional impact is minimal as they do not exert significant sustainable influence within their individualized spaces. This has further constrained their ability to expand and form consolidated networks across borders with women of like minds even though agriculture presents a common ground for this kind of cooperation. This study therefore focuses on how African women’s cooperatives/associations can maximize their benefits by forming coalitions across their respective national borders with the aid of a digital platform as the space of interaction. A simple simulated illustration is further presented to showcase how cooperative game theory can be used to model the beneficial impact of cross-border coalitions.