STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND HOUSEHOLD-DECISION MAKING IN BUM CHIEFDOM

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate “The Role of Women in Agricultural Production and Household-Decision Making in Bum Chiefdom”. It has assessed the various ranges of activities that are performed by women and identified the overall drawbacks encountered by women. The survey was conducted in 16 villages in four sections of Bum Chiefdom in rural districts of Bonthe and 80 households by taking 75% women and 25% men in their residents or sometimes in their farm site. The interviewees were selected using a stratified random sampling technique picking up 16 households from each section. The data were analyzed through descriptive and inference statistics. The Pearson Chi-Square Test was used to the test relationship between variables. The results have shown that women have a primary role in providing labour for agricultural production and household works in the study area. Women play a significant role in the agricultural labour force and in household activities. As a result, their contribution to agricultural output is undoubtedly extremely significant. The most general conclusion reached from the study is that women spend more time than men in activities and agriculture tasks. In day-to-day agricultural transactions, the village men in Bum Chiefdom, southern Sierra Leone make more decisions than women. Division of Labour by gender in farming exists. Women perform their duties on the common plot and prepare food from what is designated for consumption from the farm products. To strengthen and develop women in economic and social, men, local authority government, and other concerned bodies should take all appropriate measures to ensure women empower and actively participate in deciding on agricultural activities, income/expenditure and household decision-making, without any discrimination. Women should also participate at all stages of project agricultural planning, implementation and assessment.