Gender and Environmental Degradation in Agrarian Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Changes in gender roles and relations and environment are intricately related. Rapid increase in human population brings about massive exploitation of natural resources which in turn leads to observable effects like poor crop yield from degrading lands, water pollution, and extinction of forests. This is therefore a study of the effects of environmental degradation in agrarian communities and changing gender roles and relations. Both qualitative and quantitative instruments were used to obtain data from used for detailed descriptive and sex disaggregated analysis. Survey method was used to collect quantitative data from 129 respondents, while 24 focus groups discussion, 3 key informant interviews and 6 semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Data generated were analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage, and pie chart) cross tabulation and Chi square analysis using SPSS version 19. Issues raised in the study include: determination of the people’s recognition of the extent and rate of degradation of land, water and forest resources, the effects it has on them and their gender roles as well as the means of coping with the problems. Results show that there is no large-scale, disaster type of degradation of the environment in Ebonyi State, but the environment and natural resource bases of rural areas are gradually degrading. Degradation has brought about low crop yield, poverty, and changes in gender roles and relations. It was also found that commercialization of natural resources by men is a major cause of this type of degradation. Efforts made by the people in mitigating the problems of environmental degradation have led to misapplication of technology, particularly fertilizers. The people depend mainly on their individual and communal efforts in mitigating the effects of the degradation because government programmes on environment are not readily available. Some of the recommendations made are; Legal rights and economic opportunities for men and women should go hand-in-hand, thus empowering them for greater participation in meaningful and rewarding work. It is also recommended that gender be mainstreamed into every aspect of development plans, projects and actions.