Grassroots Women and Livelihood Opportunities for the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Grassroots Women and Livelihood Opportunities for the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals

AJEDE Salamat Atinuke (PhD)
Sociological Studies Department, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Nigeria

Abstract: This analytical study, persuasive type, analyzed the linkages between grassroots women livelihood opportunities and the achievement of the sustainable development goals. The study explains how grassroots women have been playing major role in the production of goods and services particularly the cultivation of farmland. More importantly, the role of women in the production, processing and cultivation of food was emphasized. In spite of all the above, the study argues that, women particularly grassroots women, remain the hardest hit in poverty and hunger due to inadequate means of livelihoods, lack of opportunities for improved livelihood potentials as well as other challenges. Furthermore, in spite of the fact that rural and grassroots women produce most of the world food; they are most often denied land tenure and credits for their business while also contending with other discriminatory practices that negatively impinge on their livelihood opportunities. On the other hand, the new paradigm for development, the SDGs (the Sustainable Development Goals) believes in not leaving anybody behind for the achievement of all the lofty goals. It therefore becomes imperative, that all obstacles and constraints preventing grassroots women from developing their full livelihood potentials be removed or reduced to its barest minimum. And for the SDGs to be achieved, grassroots women must be given the opportunity they need to improve their livelihood potentials as well as enhance their participation in the labor market.

Key Words: Grassroots Women* Livelihoods* Opportunities* Achievement* Development

I. INTRODUCTION

All over the world women, particularly rural and grassroots women have played significant roles in the development of their societies. Grassroots women are a term used to refer to women residing in agricultural areas where they are mostly farmers, producers, pastoralists etc. Wesley and Dublon, (2015) noted that in combining the term rural and grassroots women reflects the fact that women are rooted in every day duties and responsibilities while they are systematically excluded from decision –making. In virtually almost all areas of development women have remained a major contributor to development and improvement in the well –being of people and the society at large. More importantly, the role of women in the production, processing and cultivation of food cannot be over emphasized likewise their procreative function still remains interminable. In spite of all the above, they remain the hardest hit in poverty and hunger as a result of inadequate means of livelihoods as well as other challenges.

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