WOMEN AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN IBIBIO LAND (1885-1970)

Women and their contributions to the socio-economic development in the society is often rooted in controversies. This may be traced to their changing roles in terms of traditions, cultures, customs and beliefs. This dissertation invites attention to the prime contributions of Use-Offot women to the socio-economic development of Ibibioland. It examined the role of Use-Offot women in the socio-economic development of Ibibio society, from the pre-colonial period and terminates at the early years of post-colonial era (1885-1970). A review of related literature was done and investigation carried out in the course of this study and it was discovered that for any meaningful socio-economic development to occur in the society, there must be changes in discriminatory behviours, attitudes and values against women. It was also discovered that involving women in the socio-economic development programme of a society ensure a rapid development of the society. The finding of this study expose the fact that significant relationship existed between the level of educational attainment of women and women’s contribution to socio-economic development of the society, women’s active participation in politics and their contributions to development. The purpose of the present study is to access the social and economic development process of Ibibioland within the period being studied; to examine the contributions of women in the socio-economic development of Ibibioland; to assess how gender (sex) has affected the contributions of women to the socio-economic development of Ibibioland; to examine how the socio-economic development of Ibibioland has affected the status of women and to assess the socio-economic transformation in Ibibioland, and its impact on women within the period. This study employed the multi-disciplinary approach and recourse was made to other disciplines such as sociology, economics, political science, literary arts, religion, psychology and anthropology in the course of investigation. The crux of this paper is that socio-economic development of any society is centred on humans, and it is devoid of gender exclusivity. It was generally observed that Ibibio women has shown excellent industry in their ability and resolve to contribute to the socio-economic development of the society. It was also observed that the pre-colonial Ibibio women have transformed tremendously as could be seen in their educational attainment, population growth, technological advancement and feminine regime. Based on these findings, recommendations were made for the integration of more women into socio-economic development programmes of Akwa Ibom State.