Development of society is important for economic development, Discuss.

Social development is about improving the well-being of every individual in society so they can reach their full potential. The success of society is linked to the well-being of each and every citizen. When the welfare of each individual is addressed accordingly, the respective persons become more productive and participate actively in employment. Essentially, development of the society means investing in people.  It requires the removal of barriers so that all citizens can journey toward their dreams with confidence and dignity. It is about refusing to accept that people who live in poverty will always be poor. It is about helping people so they can move forward on their path to self-sufficiency. This results in to economic development a it implies that populations have the capacity to produce enough for food and to cater for their economic needs.

Societal development provides conditions that give the populations the opportunity to grow, develop their own skills and contribute to their families and communities in a meaningful way.  If they are healthy, well educated and trained to enter the workforce and are able to make a decent wage they are better equipped to meet their basic needs and be successful, their families will also do well and the whole of society will benefit (Mwabu et al, 2003). This would in turn contribute to the economic development of a country as the output would be more.

Societal development provides relevant infrastructure that ensures that learning starts early in life.  By investing in early learning initiatives, the society can ensure a greater degree of success amongst our citizens. Making sure that children get a good start in their education goes a long way to increasing their success later in life. This is because they are equipped with sufficient and relevant skills to deal with the economic challenges with ease.

Further, an affordable, high quality child care system is also part of social development that enables the society to succeed. When people know that their children are being well taken care of, they can be more productive in their jobs. When employers have good employees their business is more likely to succeed. When businesses succeed, the economic situation of a community is improved.  An investment today in good child care programs can provide many long term economic benefits for society.

In addition, a safe affordable place to live is very important in helping people achieve self-sufficiency. Social development seeks to provide the society with such a safe and secure environment. A secure environment is the focus of family life; where families can live safely, nurture their children, build community relationships and care for aging parents. Without a decent place to live, it is difficult to function as a productive member of society.

Other social investments in people that contribute to the economic prosperity of society include youth programs and services, post-secondary education, job creation, promotion of healthy, active living and safe and secure communities (Minot, 2000).

Apparently, to reduce poverty, the society needs to take a social development approach and invest in its people. By investing in people it can reduce poverty. It needs to go beyond looking at government to find ways to develop our most valuable resources, its people. It needs to share responsibility with community organizations, businesses, universities and municipalities in the task of improving the well-being of all and reducing poverty levels.

In the recent past, Nyanza province has been considered to be underdeveloped.

Discuss causes or factors of its underdevelopment

Suggest factors (Economic-Social) that can assist Nyanza Province improve its development capacity.

To begin with, the poverty levels in the region are very high. The population lacks sustainable livelihoods with which it can employ in earning a living. Statistical evidence indicates that almost 88% of the population in the region lives below the poverty line (Kenya Bureau of Statistics, 2007). Lack of sufficient resources has made it difficult for the populations to explore development initiatives. This is because the efforts are instead directed as searching for the basic needs to cater for their everyday survival.

This has further been compounded by low literacy levels and a high degree of ignorance. The learning institutions that are responsible for improving the literacy levels lack sufficient facilities to attain their specific goals. Learning institutions are very few, compared to the population the region. Poverty levels have further made it difficult for the populations to attain higher education, regardless of having relative institutions in the region.

Then, unequal resource distribution as further disadvantaged the region as it has been deprived of having access to vital resources that can be employed in development. This problem has been experienced since historical times and evidence indicates that the region has been segregated with respect to resource distribution since time immemorial. This can be attributed to poor leadership as well as relative attributes such as nepotism, tribalism and corruption.

Finally, the area continues to grapple with incidences of disease. In particular, it has been identified as having the highest rates of HIV and AIDs. The fact that it lacks sufficient facilities to cater for other disease such as malaria and diarrhea makes it difficult for the populations to pursue economic development.

In order to assist the region, the government needs to practice equal distribution of resources and put the region in consideration when making imperative policies for development. This would be helpful of according it not only resources but also relevant expertise with which to address its underlying problems. In addition, this would be vital in developing important skills and changing attitudes through education and training.

Further, the government needs to embark on fighting the poverty levels in the region by diversifying the mode of livelihoods of the populations. Currently, the population relies on fishing and small scale farming to supplement for their economic needs. However, the existing arable soils and the suitable weather can also support large scale agricultural production. In addition, the proximity of the region to the border of the country can enable it to carry out regional trade. The government needs to take practical measures that would enable the region to pursue these opportunities with ease.

Finally, the government needs to develop requires infrastructural facilities that would support the initiatives. Essentially, it should provide the population with well equipped health facilities as well as develop its road net work system to support trade activities. Most importantly, it needs to build learning institutions and equip the same with sufficient facilities and expertise for effective education. Awareness creation about defective cultural practices such as wife inheritance can then liberate the society and enable it to participate equally in national growth and development.

References

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2007) Basic Report on Well-Being in Kenya. Nairobi: Regal Press Kenya.

Mwabu G, Kimenyi MS, Kimalu PK, Nafula N & Manda DK. (2003) African Dev Rev 15(1):77–85.

Minot, N. (2000). World Development, 28:19–331.