Gender in niGeria report 2012 - Economic Commission for Africa

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58 Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria Women are under represented at all levels. National data on the representation in women in other elected positions, such as school management committees, are not easily available, but some studies suggest that women are relatively under represented even at this level (ActionAid, 2011). Unless women start to be ‘visible and electable’ at local level, where it is relatively easier to build support, their representation in higher political offices will be hard to achieve, even if political parties adopt and implement a quota system. Enabling more women to stand for and win elections will make a difference. But making all politicians more responsive to all their constituents would also improve accountability. Currently just over half of all registered Nigerian voters are women and politicians are said to be “wary about the numerical strength of women” voters (Mahdi, 2011). Despite this, in a recent survey in Northern Nigeria, though all respondents felt it was their duty to vote, many believed voting made no difference. They reported little contact with their elected representatives after elections, and when they did approach them “it was to seek a personal favour, not to realise their rights as citizens” (Ladbury, 2011). This suggests that much civil society work is needed to help women realise their potential power as constituents. 8.4 Some emerging observations “All the policies made by men are arm chair policies for women. Women representatives will make better decisions – only women can represent women’s interests.” “Women are less corrupt and more dedicated. There will be much improvement.” 44 There is a lack of gender equity in political representation. Some progress has been made but it is not nearly enough. To achieve the gender parity target of 35% set out in the NGP, Nigeria needs to bridge a 20 percentage point gap. The gains made since democratisation in 1999 have been reversed in some areas. A rethink is required to regain the momentum. The literature suggests that a two pronged approach should combine building the capacity of women candidates and reform of the general political environment (violence, corruption, registration conditions). Nigeria has signed up to most of the global compacts on gender equality, but these commitments have not translated into action on the ground. There appears to be some political commitment to gender parity but, without sustained and organised lobbying, progress will be very slow, as the recent elections show. Women are particularly under represented in Northern and rural regions. These regional and sectoral variations suggest that different forces are in play in the North that need to be understood before generic responses are rolled out. While there is a tendency to blame religion for the situation in the North, this fails to recognise the complex social, economic, geographical and historical factors that underpin the enduring disadvantage faced by the Northern regions and Nigeria’s rural areas. More ethnographic research is needed to understand how women currently engage with and exercise power, in forums such as Market Associations and political parties. A relatively large proportion of women have registered to vote. Civil society organisations should help women constituents to hold their elected representatives to account. 44 Women respondents in North-West State, cited by Mahdi and Asubiaro-Dada (forthcoming).
Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria 59 9 SIX KEY CONCLUSIONS One Nigeria exhibits high and worrying levels of inequality. The country is now classified as a lower middle-income country. Democratisation in 1999 enhanced growth prospects but impressive growth has failed to translate into jobs and much of the wealth generated is concentrated in the hands of a few. 50% hold just 10% of total national income. 54% of Nigerian citizens live in poverty in a country with considerable wealth. The life chances and future productivity of its citizens is hampered by widespread child malnutrition. The challenge now is to generate sustainable job creating growth, and strengthen institutions, to promote accountability and enable equitable distribution of the benefits of that growth. Unless inequality is tackled as a priority, it has the potential to generate and exacerbate conflict. The international literature identifies a relationship between gender equality and violent intrastate conflict (Caprioli, 2005; Melander, 2005). This association highlights the importance of understanding and addressing gender relations. The relationship between gender inequality, other forms of inequality and conflict needs to be researched in the specific context of the political economy of Nigeria.
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Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Impr
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Contents FOREWORD..................
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List of tables Table 1. Indicative
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