The role of Rural Women Schools (RWSs) on increasing income, improving nutrition and food security of rural families, Gezira State, Sudan

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the role of Rural Women Schools (RWSs) on increasing income and improving nutrition and food security of rural families, Gezira State. Field surveys were used to collect data from two rural women schools in the State in the year 2013 and 2014 growing season. 25 RWS participants were selected from each school. Equal number of non-RWS participants (50) were used for comparison, by using the simple random sampling technique. The collected data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using percentage, frequency distribution and chi-square test. The results showed significant association between number of seasons of participation in RWS and adoption of recommended package components for rural women by RWS participants. It can be concluded that the RWS non-formal education approach is very efficient in the transfer of recommended package components for rural women through their participation in various activities of RWS. Thus, RWS approach should become national policy, share authority of extension organizations in control and execution of RWS activities with farmer and women unions for more effective participations of rural women in all activities of the schools and the current curriculum of RWS should be developed.