AN ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AKURE-NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE.

This study focused on assessing women’s contribution to national development in the Akure-North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The objectives of the study were to identify the problems affecting women's contribution to national development, ascertain the ways women contribute to the development of the country, find out the measures put in place by the government to support women's participation in development activities, investigate the ways culture has affected the contribution of women to national development and find out the influence of religion on the participation of women in development activities. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection. Findings from the study revealed the problems affecting women’s contribution to national development in the area are low level of education, poverty, religious beliefs and practices, cultural practices, Ignorance, lack of support from the government, too many home responsibilities, lack of support from men, gender stereotype, Poor participation of women in politics and
the low interest on the part of women. It was concluded that culture and religion have a great influence on women's contributions to national development. The researcher recommended that the government need to intervene, proffering a more
lasting and sustainable solution to gender equality and formal and specific organized steps should be taken by the non-government organization and agencies to help protect the fundamental human rights of women