Article Details

Women in Imo State have historically played crucial roles in both economic and social spheres. However, their experiences before the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) agitation have often been overlooked in scholarly discourse. This paper examines women’s socio-economic activities in Imo State and their contributions to households and communities before the heightened Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) agitation, a period marked by relative stability. The paper employs a qualitative methodology, relying on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with women from diverse backgrounds and areas within the six purposively sampled Local Government Areas in Imo State. The paper draws on feminist narratives and social capital theory to explain the structural factors and social networks shaping women’s socio-economic realities in the pre-IPOB agitation era. Findings indicate that the period 1999 to 2011 experienced a relatively stable socio-economic environment that enabled significant economic participation among women. This was particularly evident in agriculture, petty trading, and small- and large-scale enterprises, enabling women in Imo State to contribute to household and community economies while benefiting from social support networks. The paper establishes a crucial background understanding of women’s socio-economic status in Imo State before the period of heightened IPOB agitation, highlighting existing vulnerabilities and strengths that shaped their experiences during subsequent conflict.