The Role of Women in Domestic Solid Waste Management in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This is focused on the analysis of women’s role in domestic waste management in Adamwa State, Nigeria with a view to recognizing their roles as well as incorporating their suggestions in matters relating to waste management in particular and environmental issues in general in order to provide sound knowledge base for effective waste management policy framework in the State. Data was collected from a questionnaire survey sample of 400 women residents in Adamawa State. The study reveals that mothers/wives dominated other members of households mostly involved home based activities that results in waste generation such sweeping, washing/cleaning and cooking as shown in the order of 50.0%, 55.8% and 75.0%. Also, children especially the females with 40.0% dominated other household members on waste disposal, while the male heads with (57.0%) compared to wives with 43.0% are more involved in offsetting the bills for waste disposal. Analysis of women’s activities in the last 6 months shows that majority of the women (65.0%) have changed their ways in order to reduce the amount of household waste generation. Also majority 60.0% and 76.2% have participated in monthly sanitation programme and cleared a refuse site around their houses respectively. The finding is a clear indication that most women are environmentally conscious, hence ready to physically contribute towards ensuring hygienic environment. Organic type of waste dominated with 47.5% on household waste generation, while inorganic waste constitutes 40.0% of waste household waste materials. Majority of an average household in the study area generates between 3kg and 4kg of waste daily. Large percentage of the sampled women (61%) does not sort their waste before disposing. Burying of wastes in landfills pits with 25.8 dominated the preferred waste disposal methods by the women. Vast majority of respondents (55.8%) dump their wastes in non-secured dump sites, whereas about 74.5% preferred to dispose their wastes in secured dump site. Majority of the women (40.8%) indicated low frequency of service as their main concerns from the services of waste management authorities, followed by lack of clean appearance around the bin after collection of wastes by the waste collectors with 23.6%. It is therefore recommended that for there to be an effective waste management programmes and services, women should be strongly involved in solidarity networks, where they seek collective solutions for improving the environment. They should be found at the root of every initiative relating to health care, supply of drinking water or awareness about environmental sanitation in the State in general.