An Appraisal of Gender Equality Nigeria.
By Ogu Ibrahim Ogelebe Kolu
INTRODUCTION
Gender inequality in our society today, is among the most prevalent forms of social inequality which exists all over the world, with different effects in different regions.
These differences are primarily due to cultural legacies, historical development, geographical location and religious norms which pre-dominate the Nigeria society.
History has it that women measure role in the family and society at large is to be the home keeper and kitchen administrator, hence the need to equalized them with men will be in futility.
However, it is the opinion of the writer that the occurrence of gender inequality in Nigeria can be minimize hence this Article aims at appraising and elaborating ways we can salvage Nigeria from gender bias. It also aims at enlighten his audience on what gender equality entails from available source in Nigeria and to further proffer possible solution aimed at mitigating it persistence in Nigeria.
What Does Gender Equality Mean?
The world’s gender ratio is around 50:50, but you don’t need to be an expert to know that women are marginalized. Studies show that it will take a century to close the global pay gap. Despite decades of progress, gender equality remains distant. What does gender equality truly mean? And how do we get there?
Gender equality: a definition
Gender equality means that all genders are free to pursue whatever career, lifestyle choice, and abilities they want without discrimination. Their rights, opportunities, and access to society are not different based on their gender. Gender equality does not necessarily mean that everyone is treated exactly the same. Their different needs and dreams are valued equally. Gender equity is often discussed at the same time as gender equality for this reason. Since society has favored men for so long, men have many advantages. Equity fills in the gaps so everyone else can “catch up” to men. It addresses discrimination and imbalances in society so that equality can become a reality.
WAYS OF ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY IN NIGERIA.
Anna Leach explains that a coordinated, multi-faceted approach is needed to achieve gender
equality which among them are;.
- Talk to women and girls
A fundamental reason we have not yet achieved gender equality in every realm is that women and girls’ voices are too often excluded from global and national decision-making.
- Stop child marriage and sexual harassment
If we want girls to be able to complete education we have to end child marriage. We also have to seriously address sexual harassment of girls.
- Make education gender sensitive
There has been much progress in increasing access to education, but progress has been slow in improving the gender sensitivity of the education system, including ensuring textbooks promote positive stereotypes.
- Raise aspirations of girls and their parents
We need to give girls images and role models that expand their dreams.
- Empower mothers
When mothers are educated and empowered to make choices in their lives, they enable their
daughters to go to school.
- Give proper value to ‘women’s work’
The unpaid work women and girls do provide the foundation for the global economy. This fact needs to be highlighted more in the media, with the private sector, and in communities.
- Get women into power
A proven way to overcome many systemic barriers to a woman’s success has been increased participation by women in local, regional and national legislation as empowered change agents.
- Encourage women into non-traditional vocations
Supporting women in non-traditional jobs is crucial in not only making long-lasting change in their lives but also help break social taboos.
- Work together
Between 1999 and 2010, the ratio of girls in secondary school fell from 83 to 82 girls for every 100 boys at the secondary level and from 67 to 63 girls for every 100 boys at the tertiary level. This is stalled progress and a reversion to the deep gender equalities that characterised previous eras. To address this gap, our efforts cannot be done in silos, but must involve the people (girls in this case).
- Stop the violence
The UN has found that globally, one in three women will experience violence in her lifetime, with most violence against women perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner
BENEFITS OF GENDER EQUALITY IN NIGERIA.
Achieving gender equality will have a significant positive impact on the Nigeria and Nigerians. Here are just a few of the benefits:.
1.Better business
Studies show that gender diversity improves an organization’s innovation and productivity. When women are given equal education (and as a result, equal job opportunities) compared to men, the businesses they join thrive.
2.Better economy
When women can participate in the economy in the same way as men, the economy does better. Closing the gender pay gap plays a significant role in this. Studies show that if OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries matched Sweden in their female employment rates, the GDP would increase by $6 trillion.
3.Reduced poverty
Girls and women make up the world’s poorest populations. Because they aren’t given equal education, job opportunities, and income, cycles of poverty repeat themselves. By giving women the same opportunities as men, it would raise up entire families from poverty and reduce the world’s poverty rate.
4.Better health
Because of barriers like income and lack of education, access to good healthcare is often challenging for women. Even without those obstacles, women are often not taken seriously. There’s also less research on conditions that mostly affect women. If gender equality became realized in healthcare, women would get better care, leading to improvements in a society’s overall health. Studies also show that
gender equality has a link to the improvement of children’s health. Women with equal education and income can care for their children better.
CONCLUSIONS.
Conclusively, Women play a very vital role in human progress and have a significant place in the society. They are not at all inferior to men. They are capable of sharing all the responsibilities of life. Man and woman have been rightly compared to the wheels of the same carriage.
Islam has accorded an equal position to women in the society. Islam realized the importance of women and granted them a very dignified position equal to man. The main responsibility of a woman is to preserve the human race. As a mother, her position is unique. She brings up the children with extreme care. The first school of a child is the lap of his mother. It is quite true that great man had great mothers.
Napoleon said: “Give me good mothers and I will give you a good nation.” The progress of nation depends upon the way the mothers bring up their children. If the mothers are educated, the whole society will progress. Women have always played an important role in the progress of a nation.
Hence, gender equality in Nigeria society should be promoted through the higlighted points above.
WRITER:
OGU IBRAHIM OGELEBE KOLU
A 200LEVEL LAW STUDENT AHMODU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA
08059650232
Ibrahim4allaho@gmail.com
REFERENCES
Aries, B. (2015). Gender disparity in Nigeria. Enugu: Okonjo and Okotex.
John, R. (2008-2017) theory of justice.
Www. Givingcompass. Org.
Article 1 of UN Charter.
Beijing Conference on women 1995
****************************************************************************************
DISCLAIMER:
This publication is not a piece of legal advice. The opinion expressed in this publication is that of the author(s) and not necessarily the opinion of Sabi Law Foundation, its staff and partners.
FREE PUBLICATION (Get Published):
You too can publish your law articles for free on our website (www.LearnNigerianLaws.com) and enjoy increased visibility and readership on all our social media handles. No fess, no charges, no conditions and no submission guidelines are required. Just send your article and picture to our email (lawarticles@learnnigerianlaws.com). We want your voice to be heard, as we all increase legal awareness, together! It pays to Sabi Law (understand law)! #SabiLaw
KEEP IN TOUCH:
Get updates on all the free legal awareness projects of Sabi Law Foundation (#SabiLaw) and its partners, via:
Facebook Page: @LearnNigerianLaws
Instagram: @LearnNigerianLaws
Twitter: @LearnNigeriaLaw
YouTube: Learn Nigerian Laws
WhatsApp Groups via: (https://chat.whatsapp.com/L7h4f1exItZ38FeuhXG4WN),
WhatsApp Chat via: (+234 903 913 1200)
Telegram Group: (https://t.me/LearnNigerianLaws),
Facebook group: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/129824937650907/?ref=share)
or visit our project Website: (www.LearnNigerianLaws.com)
ABOUT US & OUR PARTNERS:
This publication is powered by www.LearnNigerianLaws.com {A Free Law Awareness Program of Sabi Law Foundation, supported by the law firm of Bezaleel Chambers International (BCI).} Sabi Law Foundation is a Not-For-Profit and Non-Governmental Legal Awareness Organization based in Nigeria. It is the first of its kind and have been promoting free legal awareness since 2010, through the efforts of its founder.
DONATION & SPONSORSHIP:
As a registered not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation, Sabi Law Foundation relies on donations and sponsorships to promote free legal awareness across Nigeria and the world. With a vast followership across the globe, your donation will assist us increasing legal awareness, improving access to justice, and reducing common legal disputes in Nigeria. Make your donations to us via :https://sabilaw.org/donate/ or contact us for sponsorship and partnership, via: sponsorship@learnnigerianlaws.com, sabilaw.ng@gmail.com or +234 903 913 1200.
****************************************************************************************
