SECTION A
TITLE PAGE
Name:
Student No:
Module Code: DVA1502
Module Name: Development problems and Institutions
Date: 01 November 2023
Essay question 2
AIM OF PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT IN DEVELOPMENT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2.1 Community participation
2.2 Empowerment
3. AIM OF PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT IN DEVELOPMENT
3.1 advantages of participation
3.2 disadvatages of empowerement
4. CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. INTRODUCTION
Community empowerment enables people to decide and be informed of their choices
in relation to the services that they receive (Setswe, Naude and Zungu. 2011: 97). In
addition, it helps the members of the community to choose and solve their problems
themselves by providing them with relevant knowledge and skills. This essay
discusses the aims of participation and empowerment and how participation can
influence development.
2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2.1 Community participation
“Community participation refers to when the community actively participate in the
planning and execution of local activities” (Setswe et al. 2011: 98).
2.1 Empowerment
Empowerment can be defined as a process of allowing people the power to achieve
their desired results.
3. AIM OF PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT IN DEVELOPMENT
Participation in development promotes dignity and self-worth for individuals by
increasing their capabilities to achieve what they value. Participation can take forms
by consulting the community as part of the process to develop government policies,
or build community awareness and understanding. Effective involvement in the
community is an achievement of community empowerment. It means the transfer of
power, influence and responsibility from existing centres of governance in the hands
of the community. It is a way of renewing the communities and building on their
desires to take part when it counts (Setswe et al 106).
The conditions for local people to believe that making a difference is possible and
worthwhile must be fostered in the context of community engagement. This can
provide basis for the identification of mechanisms that will strengthen the community
and give it an opportunity to work with governments and other stakeholders on other
challenges, such as health problems.
Therefore, promoting participation and empowerment has a positive impact on the
development and can improve the efficient service delivery, services are more
effective and efficient if they are based on what citizens and communities want.
Where resources respond to the greatest areas of need can be used effectively.
Involving local people in designing and developing services that brings creativity and
innovation. For example, the community health nurse can consult and involves
teaches and learners when planning school meals. This will assist learners to
understand the importance of healthy eating and reduce the risks of eating disorders.
Successful community involvement also improves access to services for
marginalised and vulnerable people (Setswe et al. 2011: 105-106).
Community involvement creates stronger interactions between people, working
together to solve local problems helps to prevent future problems and promotes
transparency in the decision-making process about resource allocation. Also,
through working partnerships, communities engage and contribute their knowledge
and resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, participation empowers the community in a sense that it affords them
a sense of belonging and control. Empowerment and participation contribute to the
achievement of community development programs because the sense of ownership
of the program by community members is strong with great responsibility. It ensures
the sustainability of the results which means that when the community has the ability,
knowledge and skills to develop their rural areas.
SECTION B
1.
Education is one of the most powerful instruments for promoting sustained economic
growth and reducing poverty and equality. It gives people access to opportunities
and enables them to meet their basic needs. Neoclassical states that “it is possible
to invest in people in the same way that one would invest in infrastructure. That by
investing in education it will increase the productive capacity of people” (2023:11)
They emphasis that the education system is not beneficial to the people as it is
based on the system that does not equip people with the skills that are relevant to
the needs of their society. People should be trained in relevant of their societal
needs and in that way, they will be able to make a living at their respective areas of
settlement. For example, communication skill and literacy skill will enable people to
become aware of the connection between improved living standards such as
nutrition, clean water and enables them to make better use other resources. They
believe that educational syllabus has to be one that focuses on transforming society
by means of participation and empowerment, in that way it will make people to be
less dependent on assistance and less vulnerable to exploitation.
2. Culture
Culture plays an important
role in understanding
economic development.
For example, South
Koreans advocate thrift,
hard work, investment,
education, planning, and
discipline, which influence
their ability to maximize
available resources, and
these have influence on
their economic
development. Hence, work
values in every culture
determine the level of
economic growth and
development.
Culture plays an important
role in understanding
economic development.
For example, South
Koreans advocate thrift,
hard work, investment,
education, planning, and
discipline, which influence
their ability to maximize
available resources, and
these have influence on
their economic
development. Hence, work
values in every culture
determine the level of
economic growth and
development.
Culture plays an important role in understanding economic development. For
example, South Koreans advocate thrift, hard work, investment, education and
discipline which influences their ability to maximize available resources and these
have influence on their economic development. Culture describes what people think
is right or wrong. It relates to and determines loyalty, legitimacy, order and
teamwork. Therefore, culture plays a vital role in determining the path that politics
should take, it is the foundation for forming and regulating social norms.
Culture enables society to equal access to cultural services such as education as
well as spiritual experiences can contribute to reduced inequalities. In addition,
health policies and programs that account for local customs and integrate traditional
health systems and practitioners will go a long way in ensuring healthy lives and
promoting wellbeing for all across ages and understanding the link among traditional
knowledge, cultural practices and environmentally sustainable activities will help in
combating climate change. Culture recognizes and promotes social justice and
equality. It helps to make development strategies relevant at the local level.
Development responsive to place
3. Gender inequality
Gender inequality can be addressed in communities by ensuring equal access to
education and empower women in the work place, there are more men than women
in workplaces because women tend to do more childcare. Also, protect reproductive
rights to eliminate teenage pregnancy and improve medical care by training medical
staff on providing efficient and effective care to the communities.
Strengthen legal protections to protect the victims of abuse and hold the perpetrators
accountable. These laws need to be enforced and strengthened when necessary
especially since the pandemic contributed to an increase in violence. Gender
equality can also be addressed by encouraging public participation, involving the
people in the society equal rights to act and be heard on decision-making processes.
4. Benefits of 4IR
4IR has improved quality of life for many in the developing countries. The
advantages of 4IR include improved efficiency, use of fewer natural resources and
increased productivity. Developing countries are in control of manufacturing their
own products as it is cheaper and efficient.
4IR has empowered the poor with access to information, job opportunities and
services that improve their standard of living. It has impacted economic growth
through inclusive finance, which include online banking. People are able to operate
financial services and payments for shopping and investments. The government has
also migrated to online platforms to conveniently provide public services. For
example, citizens are able to apply for IDs and passports using Home Affairs online
system. 4IR technologies has also modernized agriculture which helps the farmers
optimize productivity and reduce waste. Technology has also improved disaster
response. For example, during COVID-19, WhatsApp became an easy method of
communicating information to the individuals.
5. National Health Insurance (NHI)
NHI aims to ensure that all citizens have access to good quality health services
provided by both public and private sector by removing financial barriers to
healthcare access. Therefore, NHI aims to provide treatment for school children with
physical barriers such as eyesight, hearing and oral health. To provide free ante-
natal care to women in providing family planning and to provide better services for
mental health users, such as screening.
It aims to provide assistive devices for the elderly like spectacles, hearing aids and
wheelchairs (2023:57)
References
Ajani, O. Adeniyi, A. Oyekola, I. 2021. Culture and Development. Springer Nature:
Switzerland
Basic community health nursing.
