Women’s Participation in Grassroots Development in Nigeria and the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP): Unpacking the CSDP Participatory Process

Friday Alaji; Tamara Shefer

doi:10.25159/2412-8457/19480

Authors

Friday Alaji University of the Western Cape,undefined https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2352-3440
Tamara Shefer University of the Western Cape,undefined https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1201-8043

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-8457/19480

Keywords:

participatory development, gender justice, women’s participation, CSDP, grassroots development, Bwari community

Abstract

This article examines participatory development and women’s participation in grassroots development in Nigeria. The dearth of literature and empirical studies on women’s participation in Nigeria’s Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) necessitated this research. The objectives of this study are to explore the extent of grassroots women’s participation in development projects in this national context and to determine the nature of the CSDP’s approach, uptake, and impact on women’s participation. The study hopes to identify factors that could strengthen women’s participation in grassroots development in Nigeria towards enabling women’s agency, fostering sustainable development, and advancing gender equality. The research employs a qualitative case study design and a fieldwork-driven methodology to explore how development implementers in Nigeria utilise participatory methods to include women in grassroots development projects. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and fieldnotes, with thematic analysis applied to interpret the study findings. The study reveals that while women in Bwari participate actively in the grassroots development project (CSDP), they are constrained by a general lack of awareness, inconvenient meeting times, the burden of household responsibilities, and distrust stemming from unfulfilled promises. Hence, the study concludes and highlights the need to strengthen a participatory framework and transparency to enhance grassroots women’s participation in development projects. The findings contribute to broader discussions on gender inequalities in Nigeria and provide actionable insights for policymakers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and development practitioners to adopt more inclusive and gender-sensitive strategies in sustainable development efforts.

Author Biography

Tamara Shefer, University of the Western Cape,undefined

Women and Gender Studies Department, University of the Western Cape (UWC)/ Professor

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