The Travails of African Women in a Globalized Economic System: Glimpse from Pottery Industry of Oto-Edo and Ughevbughe, Western Delta, Nigeria
This paper is an interrogation of the link between the social crisis extantly experienced by modern African women and the change that occurred in the economic system within the first six decades of the twentieth century. It examines the social basis of Oto-Edo and Ughevbughe women involvement in the pottery industry as a way of demonstrating the nexus between production activities and the needs of Ughievwen society under the indigenous economic system. In the conclusion, the paper posits that efforts shouldnot only be geared at evolving developmental programmes that will extricate us from dependence on monocultural economy (dependence on crude oil), but also, a re-orientation and aggressive implementation of policies that would show case the productive capacities of women albeit integrating same in our educational curriculum. Empowering women as “mothers” of the society is one sure way of solidifying the society and engendering peace and progress.
