A Study of Gender and Governance in Community Development Associations in Ebonyi State

Community development associations (CDAs) are significant governance institutions in South East Nigeria, mobilising resources and making decisions that affect local infrastructure, social services, and conflict management. Yet their internal governance is predominantly male, limiting women's influence over community priorities. This study examines gender and governance dynamics in community development associations in Ebonyi State, focusing on Abakaliki, Ikwo, and Ohaukwu communities. A qualitative-dominant mixed-method design was employed, with 180 CDA members completing structured questionnaires and 40 women participating in focus group discussions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and feminist institutional analysis. Findings reveal that women are absent from CDA executive positions in 81% of studied associations and participate primarily in welfare and fundraising subcommittees. Women members report that their contributions to meetings are regularly dismissed or attributed to male members, and that gender-specific community priorities including maternal health infrastructure and water safety are consistently deprioritised in development agendas controlled by men. The study identifies women's age grade associations as parallel governance structures that effectively mobilise community resources for women's priorities but lack formal recognition. Recommendations include formalising women's age grade associations as co-governance partners in CDAs, gender quota requirements for CDA executive committees, and community governance training incorporating gender equality principles. Keywords: community governance, gender, development associations, Ebonyi State, women's participation