SOCIAL EXCLUSION OF WOMEN AND POVERTY IN ELEME LGA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

This article examines the nexus between social exclusion of women and persistent poverty in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Anchored in feminist and intersectional theoretical perspectives, the study explores how entrenched cultural norms, patriarchal structures, and economic marginalization reinforce women’s exclusion from decision-making, land ownership, and income-generating opportunities. Drawing on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with women, community leaders, and local stakeholders, the analysis highlights how systemic inequalities manifest in everyday experiences—ranging from discriminatory inheritance practices to exclusion from community governance and limited access to education and healthcare. The historical context of Eleme reveals that colonial legacies and postcolonial development policies often sidelined women, deepening existing gender hierarchies. Despite the economic significance of Rivers State as an oil-producing hub, women in Eleme remain disproportionately affected by poverty, with environmental degradation further exacerbating their vulnerability. Respondents’ narratives underscore the cyclical relationship between exclusion and poverty, where lack of participation entrenches economic dependency and social invisibility, ultimately sustaining structural inequality. The findings reveal that women’s marginalization in Eleme is not merely a product of cultural traditions but is reinforced by institutional neglect, environmental injustice, and socio-political dynamics that favor male dominance. This paper argues that addressing poverty in Eleme requires a transformative gender-sensitive approach that challenges exclusionary practices, promotes women’s rights to land and resources, and expands their roles in governance and development planning. By situating women’s lived experiences within broader debates in gender studies, the article contributes to understanding how localized patterns of exclusion intersect with poverty, and how such insights can inform inclusive development policies in Nigeria and beyond.