gender equality: recognizing the contributions of women to science and education - edited by eunice...

7/25/2019 GENDER EQUALITY: RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN TO SCIENCE AND EDUCATION - Edited by Euni

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Knowlegde for Global Development

i

GENDER EQUALITY: RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN TO

SCIENCE AND EDUCATION

Eunice O. Osakinle

Juliet C. Alex-Nmecha

SCIENCE AND EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, NIGERIA


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ii

All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be

made without written permission.

This first edition published 2014 by


2 Church Avenue, Oke Eri Quarters

Oba Ile

P. O. Box 214, AkureOndo State

Nigeria

+2348122469297

ISBN:


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iii


VisionTo Become a Centre of Excellence Recognized Worldwide in Skill

Development and Research

Mission

To Be a Role Model of Academic Excellence in Science and Education


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iv

BOARD

Abulude, F.O. (Nigeria) - President/CEO

LIST OF ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Balogun G. A. SanniSaag Chemical (Nig.) Ltd, 4 Sanni Way, Off Godwin Omonua, Off Banks Way, IsoloIllasamaja, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Prof. Mohammad S. Mubarak

Chemistry Department, University of Jordan, Amman-11942, JORDAN.

Prof. T. T. Adebolu

Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Ondo State, Akure,Nigeria.

Prof. Francisco TorrensUniversitat de Valncia, InstitutUniversitari de Cincia Molecular, Universitat deValncia, Edificid'Instituts de Paterna, Valncia, Spain.

Hon. Niyi Jones Akinyugha30B, Olufumilayo Str., Dideolu Estate, P. O. Box 4822K, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Prof. V. A. AletorElizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Prof. E. A. AderinolaDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Akure,Ondo State, Nigeria.

Mr. Olusola AkitimehinAkinrinaye Street, Ilesha Garage, Akure, Nigeria.


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v

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Our books and journals are indexed by different international indexers of repute. The

books are made available on our website as open access where interested readers will

have the opportunity of free access to them.

Interested individuals who are ready to initiate a good book title can send a proposal, if

found presentable to the general public then we take over from there till it is published.

I will advise interested people to contact the registrar of the institute.

On this note, I am taking my time to thank the authors of each chapter. Your time,

money spent and efforts are acknowledged. More grease to your elbows.

Lastly, I wish to thank the staff members of the institute whom I say have put in their

best to the success of this book project.

I wish the users of this book good luck.

God bless you all.

Abulude, F.O.

President/CEO

SEDInst, Nigeria.


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vi

PREFACE

No doubt women are marginalized in developing countries. No matter how highly

placed, they are expected to end up in the kitchen. With this fact, the UN members

states saw the need to protect girls and women status by initiating a commission which

is known as Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). In 2000, the UN established

eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) part of the focus was to improve

maternal health, promote gender equality and empower women. The question is how

far has this influenced girl child and women status in membersstates?

The contributions of authors are expected to bring some insights to the question posed.

Eunice O. Osakinle Juliet C. Alex-NmechaFaculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt,Ekiti State University, P.O. Box 294 Uniport, ChobaAdo-Ekiti, Nigeria. Rivers State. Nigeria.


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vii

CONTENTS

Board iv

Contents v

Acknowledgments vi

Preface vii

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction 1

CHAPTER TWO

Women and Environment: Gender Issue 2

CHAPTER THREE

Gender, Women in Science and Education 13

CHAPTER FOUR

The Role of Women in Harvesting, Processing and

Marketing of Vitellaria Paradoxa (Shea Butter) Seeds

in Savanna Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. 21

CHAPTER FIVE

Women Empowerment: A Case of Restoration of the

Dignity of Womanhood (ROTDOW) 37

CHAPTER SIX

Women in Science and Education in India 40

CHAPTER SEVEN

My View on Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 48

CHAPTER EIGHT

The Role of Women in Ensuring Food Security in Nigeria 51

CHAPTER NINE


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viii

The Price of Peace 60

CHAPTER TEN

Women and Science Laboratory Technology Profession 62

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Encouraging More Women Participation in NigeriasCassava Processing Industry 67

Memorable Quotes 91

Science and Education Update 93


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Knowlegde for Global Development1

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Post 2015 Agenda

The eight millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was established by the UN

member states in 2000. Their focus was to be accomplished by 2015 are in eight

priority areas: eradicate extreme poverty and child mortality, combat diseases such

as HIV/AIDS and malaria, achieve universal primary education, improve maternal

health, promote gender equality and empower women, develop a global partnership

for development and ensure environmental sustainability.

No doubt, the agenda has been a success in some countries, but there is a need to

step up efforts to make it more successful. At the 58 thsession of the United Nations

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which was held on the 1- 15thMarch,

2014 at the UN Headquarters in New York, it was reported that MDGs have made a

meaningful impact in many areas, but inequalities between men and women in

many parts of the world is still a problem. This is a barrier to sustainable

development to member states.

The gender gap is noticed especially in science and education. On this note, selected

authors were invited to submit articles which are relevant to inequality between men

and women. Here in this book, their papers are presented.

It is believed that gender inequality, women empowerment and human rights of

women and girls would stand-alone in national and international developments in

the coming years. Every governmentsmachineries should be put in place to make

these a reality.


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CHAPTER TWO

WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT: GENDER ISSUE

Deepali, Ashish Singhal1and Namita Joshi2

1Department of Law, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

2Department of Environmental Sciences, Kanya Gurukul Campus, Gurukul

Kangri University, Haridwar

ABSTRACT

We all are surrounded by the environment and everything that is available

in the environment affects us. There is a close relationship between women

and the environment as they have been associated with the environment

from a very long time. Actually each and every activity of a woman is

related with the environment either household or any other activity

whatever it is. In house women do washing, cleaning, cooking etc. Rural

women also take part in agricultural activities and to manage household

resources like clean water, cooking fuel and fodder for domestic animals.

The main issue here is that are women more ecofriendly than men? In the

industrialized and more developed countries women use organic food

material and products made up of recycled material. Women had taken part

and were leading the environmental movements like chipko movement in

Uttarakhand. Women can sustain environment and environment also affect

health of the women, and her family. Women's involvement in health and

environmental decisions works to the benefit of individuals, society and the

environment itself.

KEYWORDS: Environment, women, household, agricultural activities,

Uttarakhand


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INTRODUCTION

The environment is everything around us, indoors or outdoors. The air we breathe,

water we drink, the ground we walk on, and food we eat are all part of our

environment. It is important that we should know what things in the environmentcan affect our health and what we can do to help protect ourselves and our family.

Before 1970 there was lacking of consideration of a connection between women and

environment. But in the early 1970s an interest in women and their connection with

the environment was sparked by a book written by Esther Boserup entitled,

Woman's Role in Economic Development (Tiondi, 2001). In the early 1980s, policy

makers and governments became more attentive of environment and gender issues

(http://www.gdrc.org/1). Whereas women were previously neglected or ignored,

there was increasing attention paid to the impact of women on the natural

environment and, in return, the effects the environment has on the health and well-

being of women. Or in other words it can be said that women have a great role in

making good environment for their families. Women can sustain environment and

environment also affect health of the women, and her family.

Women sustaining environment

"Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their

full participation is therefore is essential to achieving sustainable development". All

women have relationship with environment but the approach is different from

Urban Areas. It has also been observed that women from rural and hilly areas are

more close to the nature and environment. From ancient times women and

environment are related to each other in many ways. Some are described as under:

a) Women and water

In several poor communities across Asia, Africa, and South America, millions of

women and children spend several hours day collecting water from distant areas,

often polluted sources especially for their households, often from contaminated

sources such as rivers, unprotected springs, and shallow wells. Women play an


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important role in water management. Usually they work as collectors, users and

managers of water in the household as well as farmers of agricultural crops.

Because of these roles, women have considerable knowledge about water

resources, including quality and reliability, restrictions and acceptable storagemethods, and are keys to the success of water resources development and

irrigation policies and programmes. Providing physically accessible clean water

is essential for enabling women and girls to devote more time to the pursuit of

education, income generation and even the construction and management of

water and sanitation facilities (UN Water, 2006). A study jointly conducted by

World Bank and International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) of community

water and sanitation projects in 88 communities in 15 countries also that

womens participation was strongly associated with water and sanitation project

effectiveness (Van Wijk-Sijbesma, 1998).

At the Second World Water Forum in The Hague (2000) it was recognized that, in

addition to being prime users of domestic water, women used water in their

key role in food production and that women and children are most vulnerable to

water-related disasters (www.un.org).

It has become increasingly accepted that women should play an important role in

water management and that this role could be enhanced through the strategy of

gender mainstreaming. Gender mainstreaming is the process of assessing the

implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation,

policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. It is a strategy for making

womens as well as mens concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the

design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes

in all spheres so that women and men benefit equally (Economic and Social

Council , 1997). It is also argued that gender main streaming helps to empower

women and so furthers broader goals of equality within society, contributing to

poverty alleviation and social inclusion.


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b)Women and food production

Women also play a substantial role in food production, although it varies

regionally and from country to country. They take part in agricultural field as

labor, process and storage of harvested crops etc. In Africa, women produce over70% of the food, while in Asia, the figure stands at 60% (Aureli and Brelet,

2004).Despite the fact that 43 percent of the agricultural labor force producing a

large portion of the worlds food crops are women, and that enabling women to

access productive resources to the same extent as men would increase yields on

their farms by 2030 percent potentially reducing the number of hungry people

in the world by 1217 percent (http://typo3.fao.org). Besides, women also

prepare meals for the men of the household and even the laborers.

c) Women and climate change

Women are the most likely to suffer from climate change, but they are also the

most capable of creating change and adaptation within their communities.

Women, particularly those in poor countries, are affected differently by climate

change than men. They are among the most vulnerable to climate change, partly

because in many countries they make up the larger share of the agricultural work

force and partly because they tend to have access to fewer income-earning

opportunities. Women manage households and care for family members, which

often limits their mobility and increases their vulnerability to sudden weather-

related natural disasters. Drought and erratic rainfall force women to work

harder to secure food, water and energy for their homes. Girls drop out of school

to help their mothers with these tasks. This cycle of deprivation, poverty and

inequality undermines the social capital needed to deal effectively with climate

change. The increasing scarcity of resources has already led to wars being fought

over access to water and arable land. And with war, too often there is a surge in

violence against women.


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Environment affecting women health

Pollutants in the environment can contribute to some illnesses that are more

common in older adults. Indoor and outdoor air pollution can aggravate the

symptoms of cardiovascular and lung diseases, including high blood pressure,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. These conditions are more

common in women over the age of 50 than in men over 50.

Older adults may be more susceptible to the health effects of toxic chemicals. People

who are exposed to pollutants over the course of a lifetime may have health

problems when they are older. For instance, long-term exposure to pesticides may

cause cancer or dementia. Lead is a toxic metal that may be stored in bones. In

postmenopausal women who were exposed to lead early in life, bone loss can release

lead into the blood stream. This may cause kidney damage, increase the risk of high

blood pressure, and decrease cognitive functions.

Exposure to some toxic substances including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium,

pesticides, solvents, and household chemicals can increase the risk of miscarriage,

preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications. These and other environmental

toxins can also harm the developing bodies of fetuses and infants. Women who are

pregnant or nursing or who plan to become pregnant should take special care to

avoid exposure to certain chemicals discussed here.

Womens rights to environmental resources

Women are considered the primary users of natural resources (Land, forest, and

water), because they are the ones who are responsible for gathering food, fuel, and

fodder (Abzug, 1995). According to the World Bank in 1991, "Women play an

essential role in the management of natural resources, including soil, water, forests

and energy...and often have a profound traditional and contemporary knowledge of

the natural world around them( www.gdrc.org2). However, in the developing

countries women are not directly involved in agriculture instead they are the ones


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who spend most of their time working on the farms to feed the household.

Shouldering this responsibility leads them to learn more about soil, plants, and trees

and not misuse them. On the other hand, rural women tend to have a closer

relationship with land and other natural resources, which promotes a new culture ofrespectful use and preservation of natural resources and the environment, ensuring

that the following generations can meet their needs (UN Chronicle, 1997). The link

between women and environmental resources has been well documented.

Role of Women in Environmental Movement

Women in India are playing a crucial role in protection and conservation of

environment. Women in our country have brought a different perspective to the

environment debate, because of their different experience base. They understand

clearly that economics and environment are compatible. Their experience reveals to

them that soil, water and vegetation, necessary for their day-to-day living, requires

care and good management. Environmental degradation is related not only to the

biosphere alone, but to the social sphere as well.

Chipko movement

There are some movements initiated by the women to conserve the environment.

One of the famous movement is Chipko movement. Infact it is the first

environmentalist movement which was inspired by women. Chipko movement

(Women tree-huggers in India) name comes from a Hindi word meaning "to stick".

The movement was an act of defiance against the state government's permission

given to a corporation for commercial logging. During this movement women of thevillages resisted, embracing trees to prevent their felling to safeguard their lifestyles

which were dependent on the forests. Deforestation could qualitatively alter the

lives of all village residents but it was the women who agitated for saving the

forests. Organized by a non-governmental organization that Chandi Prasad Bhatt

led, the Chipko movement adopted the slogan "ecology is permanent economy"

(Grewal, 2008).


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Green Belt movement

Another movement, which is one of the biggest in women and environmental

history, is the Green Belt movement. Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai founded

this movement on the World Environment Day in June 1977. In the startingceremony a few women planted seven trees in Maathai's backyard. By 2005, 30

million trees had been planted by participants in the Green Belt movement on public

and private lands. The Green Belt movement aims to bring environmental

restoration along with society's economic growth. This movement led by Maathai

focused on restoration of Kenya's rapidly diminishing forests as well as empowering

the rural women through environmental preservation, with a special emphasis on

planting indigenous trees (Greenbelt Movement, 2006).

Navdanya Movement

Navdanya also known as the 'Nine Seeds Movement' seeks to empower local Indian

farmers to move away from growing any genetically modified organism (GMOs) on

their land and return to organic, chemical-free practices. This movement has reached

over 5,000,000 Indian farmers and created over 65 seed banks around India

(www.navdanya.org). Navdanya fights to eliminate the commercialization of

indigenous knowledge also known as Biopiracy (Yamey, 2006'.Navdanya

addresses multiple other international issues including climate change, food

security, misapplication of technology, food sovereignty, fair trade, and many others

(www.navdanya.org1). This movement also created a learning center entitled Bija

Vidyapeeth. Bija Vidyapeeth, in collaboration with Schumacher College in the

United Kingdom, seeks to educate participants in sustainability and ecologicalprinciples (www.navdanya.org2).

Kenyan land takeover

In Kenya, starting in the mid-1980s, women protested against the elites and big

foreign corporations who were coercing and controlling the production of the land.

Rather than allowing food to be grown for survival, women were pressured by both


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their husbands and the government to cultivate coffee for foreign profit. Protests

continued and gained strength over the next couple of decades. The protests

eventually ended in a Kenyan power shift enforcing democratic national elections

which resulted in redistribution of land possible (Perkins et al., 2005).

Still many women activist are working for environmental protection like Maneka

Gandhi, an environmentalist & politician, Medha Patekar, a social worker &

environmentalist. But the problem of present day environment protection cannot be

solved with the involvement of a few selected groups of women. It requires a global

involvement of the entire women community. Today, there is need of participation

of every woman of every class / every locality, and also that any woman should not

underestimate her role.

CONCLUSION

Although there are environmental issues which directly affect the lives of every

human, animal, plant, etc., the relationship between women and the environment

remains unique and worth addressing. Women are also more likely to be working in

agriculture or environmental movements and performing many tasks associated

with environmental management and play a major role in the agricultural sector,

which forms the economic mainstay of the country (Boserup, 1970). They are

involved in various activities of farming including planting, weeding, harvesting

and processing agricultural produce (Thomas Slayter, 1988). They are also

responsible for saving seeds for the planting season.

It is notable that women's perspectives and values for the environment are

somewhat different than men's. Women give greater priority to protection of and

improving the capacity of nature, maintaining farming lands, and caring for nature

and environment's future (Jiggins, 1994). In daily activities women buy green and

ecofriendly products and also use more organic and products made from recycled

material. In a study it was observed that 52% of females want to recycle more, while


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just 33% of males do. 51% of women want to incorporate reusables into their world,

like cloth grocery bags, but just 30% of men do. And, while just 32% of men want to

reduce their homes energy use,48% of women have this goal.

According to a 2003 study by the Institute for Womens Policy Research, Womens

higher levels of empathy, altruism, and personal responsibility make them more interested in

environmentalism as a way to protect not only themselves and their families, but also

others.If empathy is indeed the key to sustainable living, women come out ahead as

most research shows that while both genders can express empathy, women are more

likely to do so.

REFERENCES

1. Tiondi, T. (2001). Women, environment and development: Sub-Saharan Africa

and Latin America. Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1549.

http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1549

2. 1http://www.gdrc.org/. "The Global Development Research Center". Retrieved

4/10/2012.

3. 2 http://www.gdrc.org/gender/gender-envi.html

4. Van Wijk-Sijbesma, C. (1998). Gender in Water Resources Management, Water

Supply and Sanitation: Roles and Realities Revisited. International Research

Centre for Water and Sanitation. Delft, the Netherlands.

5. UN Water (2006). Gender, Water and Sanitation: A Policy Brief This policy brief

was developed by the Inter-agency Task Force on Gender and Water (GWTF), a

sub-programme of both UN-Water and the Interagency Network on Women and

Gender Equality (IANWGE) in support of the International Decade for Action,

Water for Life, 20052015.


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6. http://typo3.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/gender/docs/FAO_FinalGender_Pol

icy_2012.pdf

7.

Aureli, A. and Brelet, C. (2004). Women and Water: An ethical issue. Series onWomen and Ethics, Essay 4.Paris, France: UNESCO.

8.

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/w2000-natdisasters-e.pdf :

Making risky environments safer: Women building sustainable and disaster-

resilient communities, Women2000 and Beyond (New York, Division for the

Advancement of Women, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United

Nations, 2004).

9. Economic and Social Council (1997). Conclusions 1997/2 on mainstreaming the

gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations

system, the Report of the Economic and Social Council for 1997 (Official Records

of the General Assembly, Fifty-second Session, Supplement No. 3

(A/52/3/Rev.1), p 33.

10.

Grewal, J. (Spring 2008). Theorizing Activism, Activizing Theory: Feminist

Academics in Indian Punjabi Society. NWSA Journal. Vol. 20, Number 1.

11.Green Belt Movement. (2006). Retrieved November 15, 2006

from http://www.wangarimaathai.or.ke/

12.1Navdanya. Accessed March 5, 2012.http://www.navdanya.org/home

13.

Yamey, G. (February 2006). The Bittersweet Sounds of the Modern Food Chain.

Plos Biology. Vol.4, Issue 2, pp. 0165-0166. Accessed March 5,

2012.http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pb

io.0040047


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14. 2Navdanya. Accessed March 2, 2012.http://www.navdanya.org/earth-

university

15.

Perkins, E., Kuiper, E., Quiroga-Martnez, R., Turner, T. E., Brownhill, L.S.,Mellor, M., Todorova, Z., Jochimsen, M.A. and McMahon, M. (2005).

Explorations: feminist ecological economics. Feminist Economics Vol. 11, Iss. 3

107-150

16.Boserup E (1970) Womens Role in Economic Development. New York, Martins

Press.

17.Thomas-Slayter, B. (1988). Household strategies for adaptation and change:

Participation in Kenyan rural women's associations (Working paper). Michigan

State University. Pp 23.

18.

Abzug, B. (1995). Women and the Environment. International Authors Series.

New York: The Department of Public Information.

19.

United Nations Chronicle (January 1997). From Silent Spring to vocal vanguard.

34(3), 35-38. Retrieved December 13, 2006, from ProQuest database.

20.Jiggins, J. (1994). Changing the Boundaries: Women-Centered Perspectives on

population and the Environment. New York: Island Press.


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CHAPTER THREE

GENDER, WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND EDUACTION

Juliet C. Alex-Nmecha

University of Port Harcourt, P.O. Box 294 Uniport Choba Rivers State. Nigeria

Juliet C. Alex-Nmecha, a librarian recalls the positive roles women contributed to

science and education and the effects on the people in Nigeria and Africa as a

whole. As regards to gender, the MGDs projects have led girl-child and women to

their recognition. When men and women work together they create better progress

in outcomes of nations. In her contributions to knowledge, Alex-Nmecha has

published many papers on these subject areas - gender inequality in education,

women in transformation agenda, women in peace and conflict resolution and

women in globalization. Recommendations were made to the government as

follows: recognizing and publishing the contributions of women scientists and

technologist through the award of national honors, provision of adequate science

laboratory facilities in schools, adequate remunerating science & technology

teachers, adequate funding of research projects, government should empower both

men and women, medical team should be sent on regular training, there should be

creation of jobs for the youths especially girl-child.

Could you describe your background?

I am Mrs. Juliet C. Alex-Nmecha, from Rumuekini town in Akpor, a clan

in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. I studied in Rivers

State College of Education and obtained the Nigerian Certificate in

Education (N.C.E) and Bachelor of Education (B.ED) in 1995 and 2001

respectively. Later I proceeded to Imo State University Owerri where I

studied Library and Information Science in Masters Level and bagged

Masters in Library Science (M.Ls). Hence I have got experience in writing

papers on women ranging from women in politics, the role of women


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social clubs in achieving transformation etcetera. Also my experience as a

librarian has exposed and given me ideas to attend to users who are of

different gender.

RESEARCH INTEREST:

Gender, Preservation of E-Gadgets used in the Library and Electronic

Information Retrieval and Dissemination in Reference Unit of the Library.

When did you become involved in your profession?

I became involved in my profession as a librarian since 2006 till date.

What have been your contributions to academics?

My contributions to knowledge have been that on my work on gender

inequality in Education an analysis of women in Administrative cadre of

tertiary institutions in Rivers State, that the study will motivate women in

administration to be firm and face the task before them.

- When men and women work together they create better progress in

outcomes of the organization.

- The works I have published have contributed in boosting or adding to

works done in respect to gender inequality in education, women in

transformation agenda, women in peace and conflict resolution and

women in globalization.

What do you understand by MDGs?

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was formed as a corrective

measure to combat poverty and other societal ills. The MDGs are eight

international development goals that all 192 United Nations member

states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by

the year 2015. The goals include to:


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1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

2. Achieve universal primary education.

3. Promote gender equality and empower women.

4. Reduce child mortality rates

5. Improve maternal health

6.

Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

7. Ensure environmental sustainability.

8. Developing a global partnership for development.

What have been your contributions to MDGs?

My contributions to MDGs are as follows: (1) I have written works on

gender equality as a means of achieving transformation in Nigeria. (2)

deliver talks in churches during women programmes on how our women

will take care of their homes which involves the up keep of their children

to avoid domestic accidents, drug abuse, and reduce mortality rates and

how to take their body seriously in terms of body exercises, intake of fruits

and attend ante natal regularly in case of pregnant mothers to avoid poor

maternal health. In terms of the first goal, I have sponsored three young

people (two girls and a boy) to undergo apprenticeship for the girls, the

first is on her own now as a seamstress and sells in her shop assorted

design of materials while the other works in hair dressing salon after she

underwent training in her choice of career. For the boy among the girls, I

am glad that he has completed his GNP window/door training and joins


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his master in doing most contracts he gets and receives pay for doing

work for him. The three persons affect lives in one way or the other which

will as well create positive impact in the development of where they find

themselves and the country in general.

What have been the contributions of women in Science and Education to MDGs in

your country?

The contribution of women in Science and Education to MDGs in Nigeria

is an issue that concerns women. Hence currently Nigerian women are

really trying to see that the 8 millennium development goals are achieved

through advocacies that concerns politics, Economic Development Science

and Education. Anugwom (2009) states that three male dominated

professions, the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar

Association and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, have been

led by female presidents. And he further states that the creation of the

National Commission for women and ministerial portfolio for women

Affairs has given way for women growth educationally.

In terms of Science, women are striving seriously in this 21 stcentury since

the society is going technological. Women from the earliest times have

contributed to science. The teaching of geometry during the medieval

translation of Eucid Element (C 1310 AD) shows when women involved

in science. An Egyptian woman known as Merit Ptah was a chief

Physician and a female scientist as early as 2700 BCE.

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/women-in-science). As women contributed in

other countries, so they also did in Nigeria. In 2013, two Nigerian Women

bagged the UNESCO-L Oreal women in science partnership award for

their contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the

country. These women are Prof. Francisca Okeke, the first female Head of


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Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She contributed to the

scientific study of climate change. It so happened that in Africa and Arab

nations, she was the only recipient. The second awardee from the

University of Port Harcourt by name Dr. Eucharia Nwaichi anEnvironmental Biochemist who contributed to the scientific solution to

Environmental Pollution. (www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/2-nigeria).

Prof. Okekes every day dream is to encourage young girls for science

oriented subjects and technology education.

What challenges have women and you faced in the course of contributing to MDGs

goals in your country?

In course of contributing to MDGs goals, women (including me) have been

faced with the following challenges-

a.

Funding-There is lack of funding to carry out researches concerning

women and how the societal problems affect the people considering

the MDGs.

b. Low number of women to carry out advocacies concerning women

empowerment and gender equality.

c. Lack of sponsorship on girls who are willing to go to school or embark

on training like hairdressing, Fashion and designing, Bead making, hat

making etc.

d.

HIV/AIDs enlightenment campaign has not been easy due to few

numbers of people who would come out to educate the people, most

especially in the rural areas.


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Have you encountered any family difficulties in your chosen career?

I have encountered family difficulties in my chosen career in terms of

childbearing, general up keep of the family as a woman is not easy. Attimes when it is time to work on a paper there would be distractions like

darling, I want to eat, mummy, my finger is paining me or stomach is

disturbing me. And at times financial difficulties due to that may arise in

the family; my career might be at stake.

Have you encountered any resistance when talking of gender issues?

Too much resistance when talking of gender issues, the male whenever I

bring up gender issues will look at me as not having respect. They might

not say it out but their utterances will speak for them. A man once told me

whether you like it or not women will remain under men and serve

them. And in course of discussing gender issues, a male colleague said

any man who accepts what women are saying in gender is known as a

woman wrapper, they wont let me say a word, but they oppose

vehemently.

How do you see the future of women in Science and Education in your country?

The future of women in science and education in Nigeria is promising

since they (women in science) have realized that development strives will

not come by men in science alone but with collective efforts of men andwomen in science. Like the UNESCO LOreal award winner Prof. Okeke

states that she has been encouraging girls to take up science subjects

seeing the benefits. For education the sky is not the limit of women as they

work harder everyday to be educated.

What advice do you have for girl child and women on the issue of gender equality?


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My advice for a girl-child and women concerning gender equality issue is

for them to be firm and move ahead knowing full well that Rome was not

built in a day assuring them definitely that there will be equality one day

provided they remain focused in their various careers.

What can women expect for the future in the world scene?

Women will expect in the future in the world scene, more women

competing with their male counterparts in all ramifications and excelling

in their day to day activities.

What do you expect from the government of your country which has not been done?

What I expect from the government of my country which has not been

done are:

1. Recognizing and publishing the contributions of women scientists and

technologist through the award of national honours.

2. Provision of adequate science laboratory facilities in schools.

3.

Adequately remunerating science & technology teachers to boost their

morale and increase their level of commitment.

4. Funding research projects on various aspects of the problems of

women access to science & technology education

(www.freepatentsonline.com/article/C...).

5. Government should empower both men and women in order to

eliminate poverty and hunger.


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6. Our medical team should be sent on regular training abroad in order to

tackle the MDGs 4,5 and 6 effectively.

7.

There should be creation of jobs for the youths, young school leavers

and the unemployed to combat crimes and other social vices.

REFERENCES

Anugwom, E. E. (2009). Women, Education and Work in Nigeria. Nigeria:

Department of Sociology/Anthropology. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/female_education_in_Nigeria.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/women-in-science)

www.freepatentsonline.com/article/C...).

www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/2-nigeria)


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CHAPTER FOUR

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN HARVESTING, PROCESSING AND MARKETING

OF VITELLARIA PARADOXA(SHEA BUTTER) SEEDS IN SAVANNA AREA OFOYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Arabomen, O., Ademola, I.T and Geply, J.J

Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B 5054, Jericho, Ibadan

ABSTRACT

This study examined the role of women in the harvesting, processing andmarketing of Shea seeds a non-wood forest product (NWFPs) with a view ofestablishing their contribution to small scale forest based enterprise in Saki,Oyo state. Data were obtained from a random sample of three categories ofrespondents; gatherers/harvesters, processors and marketers of Shea butterin the study area by means of structured questionnaire. The data collectedwere analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency table and

percentages for clarity purpose. Results from the analysis revealed thatwomen were more actively involved in the Shea business across all levelswith 73.3% gatherers, 100% processors and 70.70% marketers/middlemen,

this is probably because women are involved in the provision of foodsecurity and family welfare in most communities worldwide (Arabomen etal, 2009). Twenty-nine (96.67%) of the processors and all the gatherers hadVitellaria paradoxa stands on their farmland which served as a majorsource of V. paradoxa fruits from which the Shea is processed while otherswithout tree stands collected the fruits from nearby forest lands. The resultalso showed the rate of collection of shea nut by harvesters. 10%, 10%,20%, 23.33%, 6.67% and 16.67% gathered between 1, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10tons of shea nuts respectively while 13.33% gathered less than 1 ton perannum. The average per capital income generated by the different

categories of respondents in the business showed that harvesters (6.67%)earned between 10,000 and 50,000, 23.33% earned above >50,000, 26.67%earned above >90,000 and 43.33% earned above >130,000 as annualincome for their families. This study has shown that small scale forest-basedenterprises are fast becoming the main stay of scores of people who havesuffered under ravaging scourge of unemployment especially in ruralcommunities and it is been recognized as an important factor in poverty,inequality and malnutrition issues around the world.

KEYWORDS: Women, Vitellaria paradoxa, Forest-based enterprise,Harvesting, Processing


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INTRODUCTION

Forestry plays a vital role in the sustainable livelihood of people. A livelihood is

sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and

maintain capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not underminingthe natural resource base (DFID, 1998). Forests provide a wide range of benefits at

the local, national and global levels. People are dependent upon natural resources

for meeting a large number of their basic needs of life. The type of resources and

utilization patterns, however vary by ecological zone and socio-cultural area. The

contribution of NWFPs therefore, to forestry sector in particular and rural dwellers

generally in most countries is significant, though it had been undervalued in the past

(Arabomen, et al. 2009). Non-wood forest products are a huge variety of materials

derived from forests excluding timber and fuel wood. NTFPs include bark, roots,

tubers, corms, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, sap, resins, honey, fungi, and animal

products such as meat, skins, bones, and teeth. NTFPs are harvested from forest

areas and are produced in farmers' fields. They are used for food and medicine and

as a source of income. NTFPs are consumed in rural and urban homes, and are

traded in local, regional, and international markets. NTFPs provide small but

significant sources of income, particularly for women and for families that do not

have access to agricultural markets. NTFPs also provide critical supplies of food

during periods when agricultural crops fail or are otherwise scarce. Transportation

costs largely determine whether what the most important source of rural household

income is: low value-to-weight ratio agricultural crops that can be produced

consistently in large quantities or high value-to-weight ratio NTFPs that are

available inconsistently in relatively small quantities. In the South-West and North-

West provinces of Cameroon the value of NTFP production and marketing exceeded

U.S. $19 million in 1999, and contributed 2.8% to the regional economy. In contrast,

timber, in this predominantly logged-over area, contributed 5% and agricultural

crops 27%. In unlogged areas of old-growth forest, the value of timber is

considerably higher (Laurie Clark et al, 1999).


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Deforestation has become a major concern in Nigeria as populations increase and

pressure on the forest and savanna increases. The rate of fuel wood consumption for

example across the entire Sudano-Sahelian region is on the rise and is a major factor

in the degradation of the land (Odihi, 2003). Throughout Nigeria, it is estimated that70% of the population use fuel wood for their cooking needs while another 20 % use

at least some wood for food production. Therefore the use of fuel wood coupled

with growing populations has contributed to the rising deforestation in the country.

Increasing deforestation coupled a move towards more intensive agriculture

threatens the traditional agricultural system across the region (Boffa, 1999).

Traditional agricultural systems involve a fallow period coupled with the leaving of

trees in fields for a parkland system (Boffa, 1999). More and more these parkland

systems are been thinned out and the fallow periods are being shortened, thus

reducing the amount of trees to remain on the landscape as the need for agricultural

land increases, some argue that multi-purpose uses of tree species and the economic

viability of tree products should be explored (Boffa, 1999). One of the trees often

identified as valuable economically throughout much of the region is Vitellaria

paradoxa. In the past two decades the link between conservation and income

generation has been emphasized in much of the environment and natural resource

literature regarding Africa (Dankleman and Davidson, 1998; Western et al, 1994;

Leaky, 1999). Groups such as World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) and the

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have called for conservation

programs designed to benefit local communities in order to provide incentives to

preserve biodiversity (Brechen et al, 2003). One method has been encouraged

through marketing of NTFPs. This market based conservation approach strives to

provide an economic incentive in order to conserve the resource on which it is based

(Kainer et al, 2003). V. paradoxais distributed within the Sudano-Sahellian landscape

from Senegal in the West to Ethiopia in the East. In this 5000km wide belt the tree

grows in the Sudanian, Sudano-Sahellian and Guinean Savanna zones between the

Rainforests and the dry land Sahel region (Karin, 2004). V. paradoxa belongs to the

Sapotaceae family divided into two species Nilotica and Paradoxa. It is a deciduous


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tree of medium size with a spherical crown. It often reaches heights of about 10-

15meters, with rare recorded occasions of up to 25m (Maydell, 1990) and girths of

about 175m with profuse branches and a thick waxy and deeply fissured bark that

makes it resistant to fire. Been a slow growing and light demanding tree, the flowersappear from December to March, greenish yellow in color and occur in terminal

groups of approx 30 to 40. They are insect pollinated often associated with bees

(Maydell, 1990; Joker, 2000; Maranz and Wiseman, 2003). V. paradoxathrives on dry

sandy soils that have good humus cover, but occur on a variety of soil types (Hall, et

al, 1996). It has an extensive root system which helps it to tolerate the extended dry

season (up to eight months) and occasional droughts of the savanna. It fruits from

15years of age and continues with longevity of 200 to 300 years (Hall et al, 1996;

Joker, 2000). The fruit is yellow-green, elliptical, and about 5-8cm long and 3-4cm

wide. Each fruit contains one large oval to slightly round, red brown to dark brown

seed usually referred to as the Shea nut (Maydell, 1990; Maranz and Wiseman,

2003). The shell of this nut is shiny, smooth and fragile. The nuts are recalcitrant in

nature having high moisture content, this makes storage of unprocessed seeds

difficult and viability is often lost within two to three weeks after fruit maturity

(Danthu et al, 2000; Maranz and Wiseman, 2003). The tree has no capacity for

vegetative propagation and can only be done through its seed and according to

legend no one owns the Shea tree because it germinates and grows on its own. In

Mali, Karter et al (1992) found that regeneration has become a problem particularly

in areas that have a larger livestock population. Livestock and fires are the main

barriers to regeneration of the tree. It thrives best on agricultural land where it is

protected from fires and livestock. Vitellaria paradoxa is a forest tree not only valued

for its medicinal purpose but also for its highly nutritional potential. V. paradoxa

stands serve as park species as the leaves could be fed to animals. Stands of V.

paradoxa also serve as erosion control on forest and degraded lands, nutrient

enrichment capacity as it significantly influence the fertility of tropical soils by

maintaining soil organic matter, used as wind break being a tool for fighting against

desertification etc.


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On the international market there are over 150 NTFPs of major importance, one of

which is Shea butter (Carr et al, 2000). Shea butter is processed from nut of Vitellaria

paradoxa tree, and is sold on the local markets throughout the savanna regions of

Africa and on the International market for use in cosmetics and chocolate making.Shea butter is a natural botanical product derived from the seed of the wild savanna

fruit tree Vitellaria paradoxa found from Senegal to Ethiopia and Uganda. As a

medicinal, cosmetic and cultural product, Shea butter is unique in the world. It is a

precious natural resource of the ancient savanna woodland and has long been in the

domain of women. Since the days of Pharoah, Shea butter has been prized for its

healing properties in skin care based on the activity of its unique and active natural

compounds including Karitene and Butyrospermol, along with high levels of

Allantoin which is known to promote healing and regeneration of healthy skin. Shea

butter has been appreciated internationally in recent years as an active therapeutic

ingredient in the most elegant and effective hair and skin care products; even a tiny

fraction of Shea butter in the ingredient lists adds great value to any cosmetic

formulation. It is used as an anti-inflammatory substance and an emollient to soothe

dry, chapped or damaged skin and to activate healing of wounds. It moisturizes hair

as well as skin with deep penetrative properties. Prices paid to producers are three

to five times higher than local prices for traditional Shea butter. Been a source of

income to women it helps to maintain a healthy household, providing income for

food, clothing, education and medicare and a wide variety of productive

investments which help develop the local economy. With increased household

income from its sustainable use, the value of the living tree has been increased and

greater economic power given to women from this ancient resource. There are many

reported uses of Vitellaria paradoxa in its range. The oil from the kernel of the Shea

seed is the principal source of fat in many local diets (Saul et al, 2003), although in

some areas it is not used for that purpose (Booth and Wickens, 1998). The wood can

serve as a source of quality fuel wood and sturdy tools (Booth and Wickens, 1998s;

Boffa et al, 2000; Kristensen and Lykke, 2003).


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In Nigeria, the activities and roles of women in forestry development are numerous

ranging from collection of seeds and fruits through nurturing and conservation to

processing and marketing of forest products. Women are more knowledgeable on

types of tree species that are useful to their families and so they leave theseundisturbed during land clearing (Aiyeloja and Popoola, 2005). Womens role in all

aspects of live: social, political and economic has been a subject of increasing interest

to development planners in countries throughout the world. They are the de facto

resources managers in the environment in which they are trying to survive. Also they

are very knowledgeable about the use of plants in traditional medicine and are

deeply concerned about the alarming rate of harvesting forest resources (Ajayi et al,

1997). The vital role women play in utilizing and conserving the forest and its

resources makes it not logical but critical, they therefore should be included in forest

development programs. Women and their children are collectors of fruits, foods,

seeds, leaves, herbs, fuel wood and other products for members of their family.

Women utilize many NTFPs which provide livelihood especially during the dry

season when they rely on forests foods such as snails, mushroom, wildlife and other

products (Ozon-Eson, 2002). Exposure of rural women to forestry related programs

would assist in poverty reduction in families in particular and society at large, for

example, planting and tending of fruit trees by women in their home stead will

make them more readily available in the society (Agbogidi et al, 2005) since they play

vital role in nation building (IFPRI, 2004). This study aims to assess the role of

women in harvesting, processing and marketing of Vitellaria paradoxa in Savanna

Area of Oyo State, Nigeria with a view to determine its contribution to household

economy.

METHODOLOGY

Study Area

The study was conducted in Saki town along the Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria

cutting across latitudes 8-90 North. It is bordered in the West by the Republic of

Benin, to the North by Kwara State, to the east by Orelope Local Govt and to the


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South by Atisbo Local Govt in Oyo State. The town houses two Local Government

Areas; Saki East and Saki West with a projected population figure for 1996 at 388,225

(NPC, 1991). The people are Agrarian in nature involved in local and international

trade of many Non-Timber Forest Products including Shea-nuts. Being a bordertown, there are lots of commercial activities and foreign goods that are traded.

DATA COLLECTION

Data were obtained with the use of structured questionnaires and personal interview

across Saki East and West Local Government Areas of the town. The questionnaires

were designed to elicit information on the demographic and socio-economic

characteristics of respondents, economic activities in relation to harvesting,

processing and marketing of the product, methods of harvesting, waste management

patterns etc. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select

three main categories of respondents; harvesters/gatherers, processors and

marketers/retailers. A total number of one hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires

were administered distributed to the gatherers/harvesters (30), processors (60)

middlemen/marketers retailers/end-users (30). Data collected were analyzed using

descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency for clarity purpose.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

All the questionnaires for all categories were answered except the

middlemen/marketers where 58 (96.67%) were answered leaving 2 (3.33%)

unanswered. It was observed that the marketers also acted as middle men and were

more available and involved in the Shea business than other groups hence thenumber of questionnaires administered to them doubled that of the others.

Table 1 shows the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the

respondents who engaged in Shea butter business across levels of production

respectively. It was revealed that women were more actively involved in the Shea

business across all levels of with 73.3% gatherers, 100% processors and 70.70%


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marketers/middlemen, this is probably because women are involved in the

provision of food security and family welfare in most communities worldwide

(Arabomen et al, 2009). Twenty-nine (96.67%) of the processors had Vitellaria

paradoxastands on their farmlands and 100% of the gatherers too. This served as amajor source of V. paradoxa fruits from which the Shea is processed and a source of

shade to both the farmers and their crops. Others without tree stands collected the

fruits from nearby forest lands.

Table 2 shows the rate of collection of shea nut by harvesters. It was observed that

most of the gatherers (86.67%) sold to produce-buyers and these were those that

gathered the seeds largely between 1-10 tons/annum on the average. 10%, 10%, 20%,

23.33%, 6.67% and 16.67% gathered between 1, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 tons of shea nuts

respectively while 13.33% gathered less than 1 ton and sold directly to processors.

Table 3 shows the average per capital income generated by the different categories of

respondents in Shea butter business. It was revealed that the middlemen/marketers

had the highest income followed by the harvesters while the processors had the least

income generated from this business; this is because of the low level of average

yearly production of shea butter. Some processors (93.33%) processed only the shea

nuts they get on their farms while others (6.67%) bought more to complement their

harvest. In all, the processors were able to gather between 100-400g of the shea nuts

per annum on the average. This implies that the processors processed on a relatively

small scale majorly while the bulk of the nuts were sold to produce buyers through

middlemen/marketers. Harvesters (6.67%) earned between 10,000 and 50,000 from

shea nut gathering and sale, 23.33% earned between >50,000 and 90,000, 26.67%

earned between >90,000 and 130,000 and 43.33% earned between >130,000 and

170,000 as annual income for their families.


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STAGES IN THE PROCESSING OF SHEA NUT AS INDICATED BY

RESPONDENTS.

The traditional method of shea butter processing is arduous and labor intensive

requiring large amounts of water and fuel wood. The total time required to processthe shea butter excluding harvesting and drying is about 5-6hrs or more.

The following stages involved in the processing of shea nut/seed is highlighted

below.

Bury fruits in pits to allow fermentation (i.e. disintegration of the fleshy part)

Boil the remaining nut to remove any fruit pulp remaining

Either sun dry the nut for 5-10 days or roast over a fire or traditional oven for

2-3days

Remove nuts and dehull either with a mortar and pestle or crack between two

stones/rocks

Dry the nuts to reduce the moisture content to minimum

Pound the kernels into a thick paste

Mix paste with hot water and knead to a dough-like consistency

Wash dough in cold water to separate the liquid and solid fats

Wash the solid fat (shea butter) again in cold water and heat


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Dish into containers (of various shapes and sizes) and allow it to cool, then it

is ready for sale.

RE-USE AND DISPOSAL OF Vitellaria paradoxa WASTES GENERATED INTHE STUDY AREA

There is a possible environmental threat from the activities involved in shea butter

production. Four (13.33%) of the processors used part of the shell of the shea nut as

domestic fuel while 86.67% disposed of it indiscriminately at dump sites.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following conclusions can be drawn from study findings:

Women are the key actors in the production-utilization chain of shea-butter

activities in the study area this is because women are primary resource users

and as such they do much of the hard work needed to maintain their homes

and restore the surrounding environment (Odebode, 2003).

Shea butter activities were the primary occupation of the harvesters/gatherers

which attributed for the high income generated.

A non-timber forest product is a profitable enterprise that meets the nutrition

and diet needs of rural dwellers.

Based on study findings the following recommendations are made: Many afforestation programs have failed because the needs of most affected

women group were overlooked (Williams, 1992; Sonthierner, 1999; Rojar,

1993; Armitage and Hyma, 1997). Hence women should be empowered and

encouraged to participate in forestry related activities because of their mother

nature to care for those things committed to their hands.


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Waste disposal is still one of the problems in Nigeria. Proper waste disposal

channels should be provided to prevent environmental hazards.

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pp 179-185.

Ajayi, S.T., Adebisi, L.A and Fasola, Y.R (1997). The role of women in conservation of

endangered species, Proceedings of annual conference of the Forestry Association of

Nigeria, Ibadan. 22nd-26thsept, 1997, pp 138-144.

Arabomen, O., Baiyewu, R.A., Areo, O.S., Ademola, I.T and Akerekoro, R.W (2009).

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local govt area. Proceedings of the 33rdannual conference of the Forestry Association of

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Armitage, D and Hyma, R (1997). Sustainable community based forestry

development: policy and programs frameworks to enhance womens

participation. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography.18(1): 1-19.

Boffa, J.M (1999). Agroforestry parkland systems in sub-saharan Africa: FAO

conservation Guide 34. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

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Booth, F and Wicens, G (1988). Non-timber uses of selected arid zone trees and

shrubs in Africa: FAO conservation guide 19. Rome: Food and Agriculture

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Dankelman, I. and Davidson, J (1988). Women and environment in the third world:

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TABLE 1: DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF

RESPONDENTSGATHERERS PROCESSORS MIDDLEMEN/MARKETERS

________________________________________________________________________________

VARIABLES FREQ % FREQ % FREQ %

________________________________________________________________________________

GENDERMALE 8 26.70 0 0 17 23.30

FEMALE 22 73.30 30 100 41 76.70

AGE (YEARS)31-40 5 16.67 4 13.33 3 5.17

41-50 11 36.67 15 50.00 27 46.55

51-60 10 33.33 11 36.67 25 43.10

MARITAL STATUS

SINGLE 0 0 0 0 0 0

MARRIED 28 93.33 30 100 56 96.55

WIDOWED 2 6.67 0 0 2 3.45

FAMILY SIZE

1-6 4 13.33 7 23.33 10 17.24

7-12 26 86.67 23 76.67 48 82.76

13 0 0 0 0 0 0

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

PRIMARY 2 6.67 10 33.33 24 41.38

SECONDARY 1 3.33 1 3.33 0 0ADULT EDUCATION 1 3.33 0 0 5 8.62

NONE 26 86.67 19 63.34 29 50.0

PRIMARY OCCUPATION

FARMING 30 100 30 100 0 0TRADING 0 0 0 0 58 100

CIVIL SERVANT 0 0 0 0 0 0

ARTISAN 0 0 0 0 0 0CRAFTSMAN 0 0 0 0 0 0

OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0

SECONDARY OCCUPATION

FARMING 0 0 0 0 0 0

TRADING 2 6.67 0 0 0 0

NONE 28 93.33 30 100 58 100

FARM SIZE

2 4 13.33 4 13.33 0 03 3 43.33 10 33.33 0 0

4 9 30.0 13 43.33 0 05 4 13.33 2 6.67 0 0

NONE 0 0 1 3.33 58 100


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TABLE 2: AVERAGE RATE/TONNE/ANNUM OF SHEA NUT OBTAINED BY HARVESTERS

NUMBER OF COLLECTORS % RATE (TONNES/ANNUM)

4 13.33 50-90 7 23.33 14 46.67 5 8.62>90-130 8 26.67 16 53.33 25 43.10>130-170 13 43.33 0 0 21 36.21>170-210 0 0 0 0 4 6.90


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CHAPTER FIVE

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: A CASE OF RESTORATION OF THE DIGNITY OF

WOMANHOOD (ROTDOW)

Sabainah Olabisi Ibikunoluwa Omolona

Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Mrs Sabainah Olabisi Ibikunoluwa Omolona, 56years old from Ekiti State,

Nigeria is the founder of Restoration of The Dignity of Womanhood

(ROTDOW). This foundation was established in 2008. This organization

uses different creative strategies to be involved in the post-2015 agenda of

the UN eight Millennium Development Goals. Through the programs of

the organization, a lot has been achieved on children and women

advancement.

When did you become involved in your profession?

My organization has been involved in training and seminars in schools

What do you understand by MDGs?

MDGs were set by leaders of 189 countries in September, 2000 at the United

Nations in New York. It is a set of ambitious goals that are time bound and

measurable- to be reached by 2015. Nigeria has worked in tandem with the

global vision to achieve these goals.

They include:

1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger


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2. Achieve universal primary education

3.

Promote gender equality and empower women

4.

Reduce child mortality

5.

Improve maternal health

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

7.

Ensure environmental sustainability

8. Develop a global partnership for development

What have been your contributions to MDGs?

- My organization has been involved in several advocacy programs, major

sensitization programs with focus on Goals 3, 4, 5, 6.

- We have empowered women by organizing training workshops in craft, bead

making, and entrepreneurial skills, so they can have some independence in

providing for themselves, their children and family.

- We have embarked on community advocacy on immunization, participated in

house-to-house polio vaccination, mass deworming of primary school pupils.

- We have improved maternal health by encouraging community women in

seeking early antenatal care, use of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT),


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training of traditional birth attendants in basic delivery skills and knowing

when to refer potentially difficult cases.

-

We have collaborated with major organization like the Society for familyhealth, HealthCare International etcetera in fighting the scourge of malaria

and HIV. We organize town-hall meetings, community advocacies to

practically demonstrate the importance and use of long lasting insecticide,

free malaria test, sale of arteminisin combination therapy at affordable rates.

We likewise organize free HIV counseling and testing.

What have been the contributions of women in Science and Education to MDGs in

your country?

Women in recent times have taken the bull by the horns to educate and

empower themselves in Nigeria. These has gone in the way of mass media

campaigns, community mobilization and prodding sitting government in

doing what is right by allocating more funds to education, women

empowerment, allowing more women into more decisive government

positions.


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CHAPTER SIX

WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND EDUCATION IN INDIA

Ashish Singhal

Department of Law, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Science and technology have been an integral part of Indian civilization and

culture. Women and men have been active in science from the inception of

human civilization. One of the defining marks of humanity is the ability to

affect and predict our environment. Science is the creation of structure. For

our world and technology, the use of structure has been stepping stone to our

progress. Women and men have researched and solved each emerging need.

At a glance, women in general might look like one of the many housewives

simple, docile, unassuming and humble. But make no mistake, for behind this

simple straight face is a razor sharp brain, and an uncanny ability to execute,

to convert thought into action without much ado.

Since Independence, Indians have been promoting science and technology as

one of the most important elements of national development. The Scientific

Policy of 1958 and the Technology Policy Statement of 1983 enunciated the

principles on which growth of science and technology in India has been based

over the past several decades and inspires us till date. The major scientific

revolutions of the last century have opened the doors to many remarkable

technologies in the fields of health, agriculture, communication and energy,

among many others. Science and Technology are powerful instruments in the

tasks of national reconstruction, economic resurgence and maintenance of

national security.


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The very first technical name was male Imhotep the architect of the first

pyramid and the second was female En HeduAnna (c. 2354BCE). Certainly

women were questioners and thinkers long before that, but unfortunately it

was an untapped resource. Most myths and religions place the beginnings ofagriculture, laws, civilization, mathematics, calendars, time keeping and

medicine into the hands of women. Women contributed in all the spheres of

technical advancement of humanity. They held the same burdens of

scholarship as the men did, and accomplished just as much. Women were and

are resourceful, passionate and creative about their work as any other male

scientist.

In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries most women did not have access to

institutions of higher learning and laboratories, which prevented them from

participation in the scientific revolution. The singular exceptions in the 19th

century being Mary Somerville and Agnes Pockels. The Academie des

Sciences of Paris, The Royal Society of London did not allow women into their

meetings and were strictly male bastions. The Academie des Sciences of Paris

was founded in 1666 and elected its first female member in 1962, The Royal

Society of London was founded in 1662 and elected its first female member in

1945. These societies were important meeting places for the observation of

new experimental results and the discussions of new ideas.

The Third World Organisation for women in Science (TWOWS) officially

launched in 1993, is the first international forum to unite eminent women

scientists and scientific institutions in the South, with the objective of

strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their

representation in scientific and technological leaderships.

Although we are a traditional country where women are respected as

MatriShakti over the years women have overcome the traditional mind sets


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and have excelled in professions like teaching, medicine and pure sciences.

Women have made important contributions in all walks of life and made

inroads into new fields like engineering and information technology. Of the

women science graduated 88 % of the science degree holders are in purescience, 8% in medicine and 3% in engineering and technology.

However, there has been a recent spurt of women joining the engineering and

information technology fields. The field of biotechnology has revolutionized

the industrial growth of the world. In India, our own Kiran Mazumdar is an

example for women entrepreneurs to follow and emulate. Kiran Mazumdar

Shaw, biotech entrepreneur and CEO of Biocon India group, is one of the

many scientists India should be proud of. She started Biocon in 1978

collaborating with an Irish firm, started two joint ventures, Biochemizyme and

Biocon-Quest India Ltd. She has held positions in industry councils, including

Vice-President, Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka. She was

awarded Rotary Award for Best Model Employer, National Award for Best

Small Industry and most noteworthy is the Padmashri in 1989 from the

Government of India. She was accorded a very prestigious assignment as a

Chairperson of the Vision Group on Biotechnology to draw up the States

Biotech Policy.

In 1978, the worlds first test tube baby, Louise Joy Brown was conceived. In

India, Dr Indira Hinduja produced first scientifically documented test tube

baby. In 1986, Indias first test tube baby Harsha was born. Female ovum is

fertilized with male sperm in a test tube, with suitable environmental

conditions, and observed under microscope for more than three days. The

fertilized egg is then put back into mothers womb and hence called test tube

baby. Producing test tube babies is not an easy task even in advanced

countries. Dr Indira Hinduja has rejected opportunities to settle abroad so that

she can serve our country/India.


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The worlds first programmer was Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace of England in

1852. She is credited with telling a machine what to do by using punch cards

to programme algebraic patterns. Indian women have excelled in almost all

fields which hitherto were fortified by men. Women are storming Informationand Technology field and in the late nineties the number of women in

computing and internet industries has registered a sharp rise. The IT

landscape is full of women who are busy writing programmes, running

network systems and delivering applications to clients on time. Recently a

Japanese magazine concluded that Indian women are number one amongst

women from various countries in acquiring and applying IT knowledge.

Deb Agarwal, a top scientist at a national laboratory and Radha Ramaswami

Basu, a high-tech entrepreneur, are the two Indian women among the top 25

women on Web award winners for this year. Agarwal, a computer scientist at

the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, serves the comprehensive

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation as an expert in the area of reliable

multicast communication. Basu is CEO, www.support.com. She was general

manager for international software at Hewlett Packard. She is also the co-

founder of Maitri, an empowering organization for South Asian Women in the

Bay Area.

In June 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman astronaut, made 48 orbits

in Vostok 6. Sally Ride and Kathryn Sullivan along with five men were aboard

the space shuttle Challenger in 1984 for the first time. It was the first time a US

woman Kathryn Sullivan walked in space. Kalpana Chawla from Haryana

was qualified from over 2962 applicants to earn herself a place in space shuttle

Columbia for a 16 day out of the world experience. The NASA chief called her

a Terrific Astronaut.


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Women have also accepted the challenges of the oceans and have participated

in expeditions dealing with oc

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