WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (WJSS)
ISSN: 2504 – 9232
Volume 1, No. 1, March 2016
Pages 54-71
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/6102.10.0150
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND FERTILITY BEHAVIOUR IN OGBIA LGA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
ENDURANCE UZOBO
&
ODION M. ODAMAN (PhD)
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of women empowerment on fertility behaviour using Ogbia LGA, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study sought to find out how different women empowerment indicators can affect different fertility behaviour. The Quality-Quantity theory and Feminist patriarchal theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. The sample selected for the study was made up of 394 women of child bearing age. Data collected for the study were analysed, using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that women who are empowered are more likely to have positive fertility behaviour. Based on the findings, recommendations such as the need for the women to become more empowered by encouraging them to participate more in public spheres of life and to attain better education, etc. were made.
Keywords: Women empowerment, Fertility behaviour, Ogbia LGA, Child spacing, contraception