TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT:AN ANALYSIS OF DEMOGRAPHIC COMPONENTS OF RURAL WOMEN IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study analyses some demographic variables influencing the participation of rural women in the informal sector of Imo State, Nigeria. It collects data from a survey in nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo State. Using multistage sampling it selects two thousand, three hundred and forty women. The selection of nine LGAs constitutes the first stage and the selection of eighteen communities constitutes the second stage. After selection in theses villages/communities, the study chooses some households from these selected villages. In the fourth stage, it selects the wife of head of household or the head of household (if female). Result shows that rural informal economic activities by women are likely to be affected by the following demographic variables; age, household size, number of children, marital status, place of residence and place of work in their attempt to improve the living standard of the rural women. The result also reveals that demographic variables within rural areas can be dynamic in terms of space. Since the women’s activities relies heavily on family labour, the implication is the absence of a social welfare scheme, the presence of child labour, and little or no observance of the minimum wage requirement. Government policies should be formulated in this regard.