Perception Of Women Participation In Digital Education Research For Sustainable Social Adjustment In Calabar Urban, Nigeria: Implication On Educational Peace And Security

Abstract

The need for women to arise to the issues that affect their continuous existence, engagement and contribution to the economy of their nations and the world at large, has become critical particularly in this digital age. More than ever before, the role of women in education and research in particular, in building and sustaining security and peace of their communities as well as in social adjustment to lives in these communities is being hastily called for, particularly in the presence of “crisis” atmosphere under which these communities presently and consistently exist. The purpose of this study was to assess public perception of role of digital women in education research, sustainable security, peace building, and social adjustment among communities in Calabar, Nigeria in order to take decision and consolidate on their future role in these areas in Nigeria. This study became necessary in the face of the disturbing changing social, cultural and post-Covid-19 environment, characterized by insecurity. Eight (8) research questions guided the study, among which is what level of participations are being made by women group in Calabar to embark on meaningful /digitalized research in education matters, enhance security and foster social adjustment? Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study to make description of the current situation possible. Data collection was through questionnaire, observational techniques and interview from purposefully selected target group in the political wards of Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas that made up Calabar Urban. Well validated survey data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study found that women participate in fostering education research, sustainable security and peace building in Calabar Metropolis, but the level of digitization remains low. The study concludes that the public perceives the digital role of women in education as critical in fostering good research in education, sustainable security and social adjustment. Given this, it is recommended that government and all stakeholders including international agencies, should proactively involve all women and girls with respect to empowering them with more digital skills and resources as well as offer more protection in the cyber space and with their relatively rising influence, will reduce the inequality gap.