The Role of NGOs in rural youths and women Empowerment (Case of Ardogash Village)

Subject Areas : Urban and Regional Planning Studies

majid yasoori ¹

1 - دانشیار دانشگاه گیلان، گروه جغرافیا، رشت، ایران

Received: 2011-06-01 Accepted : 2012-03-15 Published : 2012-02-20

Keywords: Women, empowerment, NGO, Sustainable rural development,

Abstract :

The strategy of sustainable development is aimed at the utilization of capabilities in rural communities to help meet the material and intellectual needs while establishing equilibrium between the constituents of local residence system (including ecological, social, economic and institutional elements). Different reasons, including incapability, cause the absence of village-dwellers in the process of designing and implementing rural development plans. Empowerment and acquiring the skills of optimal utilization of local resources in total lay the groundwork for the facilitation of participation. One of the most important styles of rural empowerment is the establishment of local institutions (Non Governmental Organizations). Learning about the grounds of forming and developing local foundations and the roles they play in the process of rural development and promotion is prominently important in the course of sustainable development, particularly for the rural youths and women. The present field research has been carried out in the villages of Orduqash rural district with special focus on the Club of Young Farmers as the only active institution in the region. (The participants filled out 60 questionnaires and answered the interview questions.) Results of the present study indicate that the institute has brought about the means of staging educational programs, setting up the centers of social activity such as horticultural crops' packaging center, launching special groups of entrepreneurship, forming cultural and athletic groups etc. These activities have been effectual in the development of abilities and skills, particularly among the rural youths and women, the growth of incomes and creation of new jobs which can collectively contribute to the realization of sustainable rural development.