Role of NGOs in rural development

Introduction:

NGOs are performing a keen role in tackling issues in different sectors such as education, health, poverty,
gender discrimination and many other social issue, which often go unnoticed sometimes due to lack of
resources while other times due to lack of attention. The active participation of NGOs especially in rural
development in creating awareness, opportunity and assuring social rights manages them to secure a
permanent position in society besides government organizations. The gender discrimination in rural areas
is a prevalent phenomenon particularly in male dominant societies, which undermines the role of females
in societies. One of prior focus of NGO’s is to eradicate this false concept and generate equal rights and
opportunity as enjoyed by men hence such organizations perform a critical role in development patterns.
Official agencies consider NGO’s working efficiently in delivering services and utilizing finances
effectively compared to government (Edwards and Hulme, 1996). In order to study the impact made by
NGOs, studies are required to analyze the larger contribution of NGOs towards uplifting of a country.
Vivian and Maseko (1994).The most important function that NGOs could play is to update people about
the challenges that are created by the system. The prior responsibility would be to make people aware
about market opportunities and valid information Ramakrishna, (2013). NGOs work parallel with
government organizations and had delivered good result over the past decades.Past studies about NGOs
participationin rural areas show appealing results however same literature also signifies all NGO’s must
not claim to render best outputs by taking advantage of potential and results delivered by few NGO’s
Vivian and Maseko (1994). Taking in context rural areas question arises here that, does success of one or
few NGOs allow us to consider that all NGOs are up to the mark in delivering services?A
qualitative/quantitative study would be conducted focusing the role of NGOs in rural development and
analyze their success and contribution. would be studied thoroughly to come out opinions and questions.
The paper would brief that, the role of NGOs should be enhanced further in rural areas or not? Or should
there be limitations on NGOs functioning?
Historical background of NGO’s:
The functioning of NGO’s is dated back to 1839 with an estimate of around 1083 international NGO’s
working day-in and day-out for the social welfare. The working of NGO’s flourished especially after the
formation of United Nations Organization in 1945. The restructuring process for accomplishment of
welfare states boosted the role of NGO’s in the western countries. The downfall of communist system and
Globalization patterns paved the path for non-government organization (NGO’s) to perform an active
role in countries welfare. More recently millennium development goals (MDG’s) and sustainable
development goal (SDG’s) under United Nations consideration had showed their support to NGO’s for
their participation in achieving these targets. Ramakrishna, (2013).
Literature review:
NGO in its literal meaning refer to an organization that maintainsnon-government status. It act as non-
profit, non-criminal and show no affiliation with political parties. NGO work as an independent voluntary
association with two classifications operational NGO, delivering services and the other being
campaigning NGO, spreading awareness but often a single NGO could perform both functions
Ramakrishna, (2013). The performance of NGO’s is more convincing in states having limited resources
and good governance i.e. democratic being the other factor giving enough space for NGOs to participate
under “New policy agenda” especially after the cold war 1989. ( Edwards and Hulme, 1996). A study on
NGOs role in rural areas of Nigeria considered NGOs had performed an active role by delivering their
services through human capital development, assisting small scale farmers, enlightenment campaigns and
research monitoring. The problem Nigeria was excessive rural-out migration toward urban areas in search
of employment and ultimately leading of less agriculture production. Agriculture production was one of
revenue generating sector if provide the rural-out migration restricted, by creating awareness and
generating incentives and opportunities in rural areas. NGO’s have come up with successful results in
rural areas of Nigeria. (Bride, 2013). In a study on NGOs role in India the analysis on NGOs efficiency
and democracy was gauged through theory of dynamic behavior of NGOs. Qualitative method were
considered appropriate for understanding the performance while some analyst preferred using case study
and comparative analysis. (Bhaker, 2014). A research on role of NGOs in Nepal has shown positive
outcomes, an interview based case study has conducted which has shown a moderate role being played by
NGOs towards social welfare but they have keenly talked shortcomings in Heath and Education sector.
(Dhakal,2002)

A study carried out by AKRSP on gender development refers that the contribution of women in societies
needs to be enhanced so they could also participate and get opportunities as women in the developed
nations. This would ensure greater contribution of women in labor-market and lead to economic well-
being and financial independence