THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE COLONIAL ECONOMY OF IDOMA DIVISION, 1908 â€" 1960

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Department of Arts

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.