CHALLENGES OF EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT AMONG IDEATO WOMEN IN IMO STATE, 1976-2019

Abstract

In recent times, there has been significant changes and improvement in the involvement of Ideato women in the educational system. This involvements and improvement are however not without some daunting challenges. Despite the marked improvement, a large number of Ideato women are yet to acquire Western education, especially, university education while the educated ones are still struggling to maximize their potentials or advance as expected in their chosen careers. Using qualitative methodological approach, this research paper investigates the factors inhibiting the educational and career advancement of women in both Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Area, Imo state. It adopts the use of several sources of information which cut across primary and secondary sources to capture a wide range of factors that inhibits Ideato women from pursuing further education and advancing in their career. The findings of this study reveals that the deep-rooted Igbo patriarchy structures and stereotypes is part of the major factor that regulates the educational advancement of Ideato women especially in regards to marriage and motherhood, these two were considered more important goals than advancement in education and career in Ideato communities. This study also identified other factors which affect women education in Ideato. It concludes that many Ideato women have endeavored to overcome these gender role barriers and other challenges while also recommending ways both educated Ideato men and women can work co-operatively to develop support the education of more Ideato women and as well help them to overcome the challenges