The Economic Activities of Igbo Women in Akwa Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State 1960 - 2020

This study examines the economic activities of Igbo women in Akwa Etiti, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, from 1960 to 2020. The research aims to highlight the significant contributions of women that have often been overlooked in the history of local economic development.

The findings reveal that women in pre-colonial Akwa Etiti were instrumental in the economy, primarily as peasant farmers and traders. They were actively engaged in various aspects of the agrarian economy, including the production and marketing of agricultural products like oil palm, as well as practicing traditional crafts and herbal medicine. However, the onset of colonial rule introduced legislation and economic priorities that began to shift women's roles, often confining their activities and focusing the formal economy on men.

Despite these challenges, Akwa Etiti women continued to be active in both the formal and informal sectors, contributing to family welfare and community development. The work details the persistent challenges hindering women's full economic empowerment, including their lack of access to land, credit, and training, and the burden of cultural subordination and heavy unpaid domestic work.

Ultimately, this assessment underscores the notion that women's potential contribution to growth would be even more significant if not for these constraints. The study concludes that acquiring skills and removing socio-cultural barriers are essential for women to gain greater control and achieve their full economic potential in the Akwa Etiti community and beyond.