Impact of Social Capital on Livelihood Activities of Vulnerable Women during Covid-19 pandemic in Lapai Local Government Area Niger state, Nigeria.

Abstract

The number of vulnerable women in Nigeria and in many developing countries across the world has continued to be on the increase in the past two to three decades. This situation is mainly a result of weak capacity to withstand social, economic and environmental shocks and stress due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In seeking ways to reduce vulnerability in women livelihood activity, Alex (2014) encouraged, the adoption of social capital as it has been identified a crucial element in promoting resilience of people in vulnerable situation. Different studies have explored the concept of social capital and the role it can play in preventing livelihood vulnerability. This study therefore seeks to identify the social capitals available to the vulnerable women of Lapai Local Government Area during the pandemic period and determine its impact on their livelihood activities. The study is a descriptive research that employed purposive sampling technique to administer questionnaires to the sample size of 383 women in the different wards of the study area. The research establish that there are gender base, profession base, ward base, religious, and other form of social capital within Lapai Local Government, all of which if properly engaged would reduce the likelihood of vulnerability due to weak adaptive capacity in economic, social and environmental activities. The study finding promotes participation in social capital activities, as it is a tool reduces the likelihood of vulnerability and in turn mitigates poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic.