Marginalization And Socio-Economic Development Of Women In Bali Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Women’s socio-economic development in Nigeria continues to be undermined by persistent educational, financial, and political marginalization, particularly in rural settings. In Taraba State, these constraints are deeply embedded in socio cultural norms and institutional practices, limiting women’s productive capacities and social mobility. This study examined the effects of educational, credit and financial, and political marginalization on the socio-economic development of women in Bali Local Government Area. The objectives were to assess how limited access to education, exclusion from financial systems, and political disenfranchisement shape socio-economic development of women. The study was anchored on liberal feminist theory, which explains women’s marginalization as a consequence of unequal access to opportunities and institutional barriers that restrict their full participation in public life. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 375 women through structured questionnaires, complemented by in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed that educational marginalization significantly restricts women’s economic opportunities and social mobility. Financial exclusion limits entrepreneurship and participation in the formal economy. Also, political marginalization weakens women’s access to resources, policy influence, and essential social services. These forms of marginalization were found to be mutually reinforcing, sustaining cycles of poverty and dependency. The study concluded that women’s socio-economic development in Bali Local Government Area cannot be achieved without addressing these interconnected barriers. It recommended targeted investment in girls’ and adult women’s education, women focused financial inclusion initiatives, and deliberate policies to enhance women’s political representation and participation in decision making processes.