THE UTILIZATION OF ADULT EDUCATION FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the utilization of adult education for women empowerment in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State”. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study. A sample size of one hundred (180) adult male and female participants/respondents residing in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State were used for the study. This was selected through simple random sampling technique. The major instrument used for this study was the questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and validated by the supervisor and other two experts in the department of Adult and Non-formal Education, Faculty of Education University of Benin. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, frequencies counts, and simple percentages Findings of the study revealed that the type of adult education programmes available in the area are: Functional literacy programmes, income generation programmes, women empowerment programmes, gender advocacy programmes and Health education/family planning programmes It was further revealed that adult education helps women to become stakeholders in their families and communities, financially relevant in their families and communities, builds and strengthens women’s’ self-confidence to participate in community affairs, helps and encourages rural women to practice hygiene and helps women to become employers of labour. It was therefore recommended that there is a need to site more adult education centres in Benin Metropolis to enable women in such location participate. It was further recommended that the scope of skills/programmes available in adult education centres should be broadened to accommodate a variety that can cater for the need and interest of would-be participants. These factors have the power to sustain participation in any individual.