Role of Women’s Groups in Adult Literacy Mobilisation in Ebonyi State

This study examined the role of women's community groups in mobilising adult literacy participation in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria. Community women's groups represent powerful social networks that have historically served as platforms for collective action and mutual support in Nigerian rural communities. The study adopted a descriptive survey design involving 135 adult women drawn from literacy programme sites linked to women's cooperative and church-based groups in three local government areas. Questionnaires, group interview sessions, and programme registration records informed data collection and analysis. Findings revealed that women who were initially recruited into adult literacy programmes through their membership in existing women's groups demonstrated significantly higher enrolment rates, better attendance, and stronger completion rates compared to women recruited through individual outreach. Women's group leaders played a critical advocacy role in persuading hesitant members to enrol and supporting continued attendance through practical assistance such as childcare arrangements and communal transport. Social accountability mechanisms within groups, including peer encouragement and gentle group pressure to maintain attendance, proved highly effective motivational supports. Recommendations include designating recognised women's cooperative and faith-based women's groups as formal community mobilisation partners for adult literacy campaigns, providing group leaders with advocacy training and basic literacy facilitation skills, and creating incentive structures that reward groups for sustaining high learner retention rates. The study demonstrates the untapped potential of existing women's social organisations as adult education delivery channels. Keywords: women's groups, adult literacy, community mobilisation, Ebonyi State, social networks.