In one Nigerian language, there is a saying; “without reason, a woman does not bear kumolu.” This means actions are not pursued without purpose or agenda. The urgent drive for gender equality stems from the fact that gender inequality is a critical global issue, impacting millions worldwide and carrying profound implications for social justice and development.
Approximately 50 million individuals across genders experience varying degrees of gender equality improvements, particularly through initiatives targeting the elimination of gender-based violence and the enhancement of women and girls participation in leadership and education (Lyell, 2024)
Persistent gender inequality poses formidable obstacles to eradicating poverty and achieving comprehensive social justice. Discrimination against women not only undermines global security and economic performance but also jeopardizes every aspect of sustainable development, such as food security, health outcomes, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, governance effectiveness, and overall societal stability (Lyell, 2024). Fixing these inequalities is crucial for building a better world where everyone has a fair chance to thrive.
Subsequently, this writer will address some of the issues that perpetuate gender exclusion and hinder gender equality from becoming a reality.
Poverty
The documentary, ‘leadership as e suppose be,’ underscores poverty as one of the issues that perpetuate gender exclusion in Nigeria. One of the women interviewed, a mother of 3, laments about how unfavorable the economy is for her, which has made feeding difficult. Although she is both a petty trader and a government worker, the economy is still disadvantageous.
Abolade (2021) submits that economic constraints, including poverty, declining terms of trade, and heavy external debt burdens, create unfavorable conditions for national development. Despite limited available resources, women receive minimal direct allocations, exacerbating their economic marginalization. Moreover, women and girls constitute over 60% of the world’s undernourished population and disproportionately shoulder the responsibility of meeting their families’ nutritional and caregiving needs.
Fapohunda (2012) emphasizes the interconnectedness of women’s inequities, poverty, and social power dynamics, calling for Nigeria to commit to eradicating gender disparities and mainstreaming gender considerations across policies. She further advocates for establishing a dedicated gender affairs committee to drive policy reforms that empower women and accelerate national development. Fapohunda underscores the urgent need for policymakers to collaborate with women to enhance their socio-economic standing and foster inclusive national development.
Gender-based Violence and Patriarchy
Shockingly, one in three women globally has endured physical and/or sexual violence, primarily inflicted by intimate partners (Olawale, et al. 2021). Gender-based violence is extensively discussed by scholars who attribute its existence to gender inequalities and patriarchal structures (Moreno, 2003; De Miguel,2005; Vives, 2011; Marugán, 2012). It is viewed as the ultimate expression of sexist control (Delgado et al., 2007), originating from the symbolic and material dominance historically afforded to men by patriarchy, a power that women have been systematically denied (Gimeno & Barrientos, 2009) and this system is deeply entrenched in the Nigerian culture.
In summary, gender-based violence is identified as a phenomenon that restricts women’s freedoms (Falú, 2011) and is considered a violation of human rights, obstructing efforts toward achieving equality, peace, and development (Krantz & Moreno, 2005; Nixon & Humphreys, 2010).
Inequality between Women and Men in the Workplace
In the documentary, it is discussed that stereotypical narratives about men being more capable than women have been used to marginalize women. A major hurdle women encounter is the glass ceiling; an invisible barrier that stops them from reaching top positions in their careers. Even if some women break through, they can face resistance from male colleagues, who might not accept them as leaders. This can lead to a lot of stress for women, making it hard for them to do their best at work.
In both Nigeria and worldwide, there is a big gap between how many men and women have jobs in public and private sectors (World Bank, 2019). According to a UN Women report (2019), globally, 94% of men have jobs, but only 63% of women do. Women who work often face tough challenges in workplaces dominated by men. Workplaces sometimes show biases where men tend to get higher positions, even if there aren’t formal rules saying so.
Discrimination against women during hiring processes makes this problem worse. In Nigeria, statistics show that 65.3% of senior positions are held by men, leaving only 34.7% for women (National Bureau of Statistics, 2019).
Research by McGuire (2002) supports these findings, showing that workplace hierarchies reflect broader cultural beliefs where women are often seen as less important compared to men. This cultural bias not only limits women’s chances to advance in their careers but also keeps inequality going in workplaces.
To fix these problems, workplaces need to change their policies and cultures to support gender equality, empower women leaders, and create fair environments where everyone can succeed based on their skills, not their gender.
Women’s Participation in Political Activities
The documentary, ‘leadership as e suppose be,’ also addresses the discriminatory challenges women face in Nigerian politics. Women are notably underrepresented in political positions, with those who do manage to attain such roles encountering substantial hurdles and prejudices.
The political landscape is depicted as male-dominated, characterized by “money politics” which creates barriers for women who often lack the financial means required for campaigning. Additionally, societal norms and gender biases perpetuate the view that politics is a realm reserved for men, relegating women to secondary roles and diminishing their political agency.
Mayokun Bankole, a sustainability strategist, writes in from Ibadan, Oyo State.
This opinion article is published in Partnership with the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation as part of its Improving Feminist Leadership Policy in Nigeria project funded by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung to contribute to a more informed, engaging, and collaborative approach to feminist leadership policymaking in Nigeria by leveraging diverse perspectives, resources, and coalition building to address and bridge existing policy gender gaps and actions.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Mayokun Bankole, and as it relates to the project stated above.
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