Wisdom M Akpan

Heterosexual relationship with age disparities has been observed in almost all cultures and this age difference affects several issues such as marital relationship, contraceptive use etc. Wide age difference between spouse contributes to the subjugation of women especially since age is the bases for subordinate-ordinate relationship in most African culture. This chapter shows the patterns of spousal age difference in Nigeria.

The worsening socioeconomic situation of the country has threatened the socioeconomic development of rural communities, necessitating a socioeconomic alternative that will be responsive to rural needs and stimulate sustainable socioeconomic growth. Cooperative societies are alternative strategies that can foster socioeconomic growth at rural levels, thus building on the spirit of cooperation that is domiciled in the rural areas. Cooperative society is a voluntary association of individuals who come together to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations. These societies are based on the principles of self-help, democracy, selfresponsibility, equality, equity and solidarity. If effectively utilized, cooperatives are vehicles that can bring about sustainable socioeconomic development in rural communities especially in times of worsening economic situations. This paper explores cooperative societies as a vehicle that can bring about the needed socioeconomic development in rural areas through, creation of jobs, raising capital for business and alleviation of poverty. The paper adopts the sustainable development theory as its theoretical underpinning. The study found that cooperatives are instrumental in the sustainability of livelihood in rural communities through the provision of credit facilities, assisting small businesses to stay profitable, creation of employment etc. The paper recommends rural dwellers should be adequately sensitized on the importance of cooperatives and should be encouraged to associate with cooperatives so as to derive benefits of cooperatives which can in turn bring about sustainable development.

Overview: The relationship between politics and economic development is intricate and multifaceted, characterized by a complex interplay of factors that shape the trajectory of nations. This study was conducted in Lusaka district, the capital city of Zambia. Body of Knowledge: Politics, encompassing governance structures, policies, and decision-making processes, fundamentally influences economic development outcomes. Effective governance frameworks that foster political stability, rule of law, and institutional integrity are pivotal in creating an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth. Methods: The study adopted a mixed methods approach which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. The study was conducted in 6 institutions; 3 belonging to government and 3 belonging to civil society organizations within Lusaka district. The sample size was 36 respondents, targeting Political Leaders and Policymakers, Economists and Development Experts, Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs, and Civil Society Organizations Members. Quantitative data was collected from respondents using surveys, and statistical analysis of economic indicators whereas interviews, focus groups with policymakers, stakeholders, and experts were used to collect the qualitative data. Qualitative data collected from semi-structured interview schedules were analyzed thematically in line with research objectives; while the quantitative data were analyzed using the software; Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel (version 16). Results: The study revealed that effective governance and political stability are pivotal in fostering conducive environments for sustainable economic development. Moreover, it explored the role of external influences and domestic policies in shaping economic outcomes, highlighting the need for robust institutional reforms and strategic governance practices to mitigate political risks and enhance economic resilience in developing contexts. Recommendation: Governments should strengthen institutions that oversee economic policies, ensuring they are independent, competent, and free from political interference .

Sexual harassment occurs when people are targets of unwanted sexual comments, sexual gestures, or sexual actions and, for many years, this has been a major challenge among secondary school girls. School girls have been plagued by sexual harassment occurring in school; a place which was meant to be a safe environment where girls acquire knowledge needed for future development has become an unsafe environment where girls are sexually harassed. This study therefore examined how the perception and attitude of secondary school girls predict the possibility of their sexual harassment. To achieve the purpose of this study, 384 questionnaires were administered to secondary school girls through a 3 stage multi sampling. The data were analyzed using simple percentage and chi-square P≤0.05. The study found that students have poor perception and negative attitudes toward sexual harassment and these are risk factors of sexual harassment. The study recommends that students develop and maintain a positive perception and attitude so as to help them to avoid being sexually harassed. Students should report any case of sexual harassment in school and such complaints should be made to people in authority not just to friends and fellow students.

Women empowerment is the increased ability of women to make life choices, and it is a major challenge among couples in decision making process in sub-Saharan Africa. Women empowerment among couples in Nigeria is influenced by the variations in the age of husband and wife especially among women with older husbands. This study examined the influence of spousal age difference on women empowerment in Nigeria using NDHS 2018 dataset. Women empowerment was measured by decision on health, household purchase and visit to family. Women were considered empowered if they take at least two of the decision singlehandedly and shared one with her spouse. Data were analysed using descriptive and logistic regression at P≤0.05. Spousal age difference was found to influence women empowerment in Nigeria. Women who were same age with husband and 1-4years and 5-9 years younger than husband were 2times more likely to be empowered, while women 10 or more year were 1 time more likely to be empowered. Specifically, women were more empowered if 1-4years younger than husband, as large spousal age difference limits women autonomy. The study has shown the implication of women marrying men who are far older than them and has given stakeholders a diverse approach toward empowerment of women and achieving SDG5.