The Role of Open and Distances Learning in Gender Environmental Protection

Abstract

Gender had been recognized as important within environmental issues. As feminist theorizing around women and gender has changed so has conceptualization about gender and environment; leading to a key debate within ecofeminism and related literatures about whether there is an essential relationship between women and natural environment. Women around the world play distinct roles in managing plants and animals in forests, drylands, wetlands and agriculture. This study examines the role of Open and Distance learning (ODL) in gender environmental protection. Pedro village, a rural riverine area in Iwaya-Yaba, Lagos was used for the study. Qualitative survey technique was employed. Focusing group discussion, individual interview and participatory observations used as a basic data gathering tools accompanied by a guide checklist of primary data and published and unpublished data for secondary information. Results of this study showed that women have active knowledge in protecting the environment and natural resources despite the challenges involved. However, most of the women in the rural community are ignorant of ODL. ODL should thus be brought to the grassroots by creating awareness through women groups in rural areas. Study centers and internet facilities should be made available in such areas and women should be encouraged to enroll by reducing their tuition fees. // Paper ID: 366