Environmental health, development and economic empowerment of rural women in Nigeria |
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Authors: | Albert C Achudume |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan Road, Ile-Ife, Osun, 220001, Nigeria |
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Abstract: | Sustainable development is a process that has social, cultural, economic and ecological dimensions. The necessity of improving
the quality of life of rural women in terms of socio-economic aspects in developing countries like Nigeria is the aim of this
study. The study was carried out in four villages of Tonkere district (Okeake, Abagboro, Elefon and Akiri), situated on expansive
university land at Ile-Ife and typical of rural settings in Nigeria. Data were generated from group meetings, local government
and individual interviews and surveys. In rural Nigeria, women’s essential contributions to overall environmental health,
development and economy are negatively influenced by domestic tasks such as gathering of fuel woods and biomass for cooking.
In reality, wood burning, kerosene stoves, and open fireplaces emit significant quantities of known health-damaging pollutants.
The significant emissions of health-damaging pollutants per unit activity, combined with daily use in close proximity to rural
human populations mean household biomass fuel use exposes total population to important pollutants resulting in ill-health
and premature dead. Application of solar energy collectors and hosts of solar devices is an alternative energy sources in
rural areas that could best improve women’s health, socially and economically, and positively add to ecological dimensions.
Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue. |
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Keywords: | Fuel wood Rural women Environmental health Development Economic sustainability |
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