Women Education in Ogoniland and Its Implications for Rural Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

The education of women over time has been an issue for debate because of the inferior status universally accorded women due to cultural, religious and other barriers. Thus women had been marginalized, discriminated against, relegated to the background and consigned to an inferior status in many areas, but specifically in education. It has however been discovered in recent times that education plays a vital role in development. For women to contribute optimally to the development process, they should be empowered through education. This paper therefore examines the issue of the education of women, especially in Ogoniland and its implications for rural development in Nigeria. This discourse recommends amongst other things that priority should be given to the education of women especially in rural communities and that every cultural practice or tradition that hinders women education and retard their progress and contribution to development should be abolished.