The
subject matter of the study is the role of women in the colonial
economy of Idoma Division during the period 1908-1960. The objective of
the study was to examine and assess the role of women in the colonial
economy of Idoma Divison during the period1908-1960. Colonialism placed
serious burden on women, through the imposition of policies of colonial
taxation, forced labour, oppression and exploitation.The impact of the
colonial economy appeared to advance men‟s roles and relegated women to
the background, this in turn, affected the roles and status of women of
Idoma Division. This was a distinct phase in the historical development
of Idoma land from the point of view of the transformation and their
subsequent replacement with an alien socio-economic and political order
in line with the imperialist convictions of British colonialism. The
establishment of administration institutionalized policies that were
aimed at perpetuating the political subjugation and economic
exploitation of women and the people of Idoma Division. Colonial rule in
the area under study incorporated the area into the capitalist order,
characterized by forced labour, taxation, monetization of the economy,
export crop production, import and export of goods and services. The
subsequent creation of Native Authority system in the area from 1908 was
a step towards the centralization of political authority and the
control of the political aspect of the societies meant a control of the
material and human resources of the people. The creation of a
centralized system meant the establishment of a conducive atmosphere for
the colonialists to exploit the material and human resources of the
area this was so because the centralization of power paved way for the
easy collection of taxes, which were used to finance colonial projects
and for the payment of salaries of the colonial workers and official.
The menace of colonialism was deeply felt by the society. The study
showed that women were part and parcel of the economic development of
our area of study during the period 1908-1960, through their role in and
contribution in farming, local industries and trade. The methodology
used involved the employment of primary and secondary sources.
Therefore, the role of women in the development of our societies should
not be neglected for the role of women in the colonial economy of Idoma
Diviosn was pivotal to the entire development of Idoma soceity.