Improving Feminist Leadership Policy In Mining, Agriculture, And Clean Energy BY NJEMANZE UGOEZE

Gender inequality remains a significant barrier to sustainable development in Nigeria. Despite numerous policies aimed at addressing these disparities, women continue to face substantial challenges in various sectors, including mining, agriculture, and clean energy. This writer emphasizes the necessity of feminist policymaking to tackle these entrenched gender inequalities, promoting a more inclusive and equitable society. 

Importance of Feminist Policy-Making 

Feminist policymaking centers on the principle of gender equality, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and create opportunities for all genders. In Nigeria, feminist policies are crucial to addressing the historical and cultural factors that perpetuate gender discrimination. 

These policies not only seek to empower women, but also to foster a more just and balanced socio-economic landscape. Feminist policies also ensure that women’s voices and experiences are included in the decision-making process, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions. 

Current Status and Challenges of  Women in Mining

The mining sector in Nigeria is predominantly male-dominated. Women account for a small percentage of the workforce, often confined to low-paying informal positions with limited job security. 

They face numerous challenges, including: 

1. Limited Access to Resources: Women in mining have less access to capital, land, and mining licenses compared to their male counterparts. This limits their ability to scale their operations or participate in larger mining ventures.
2. Workplace Discrimination: Women often experience discrimination and harassment in the workplace, leading to an unsafe and hostile environment. This discourages many women from pursuing careers in mining. 
3. Lack of Training and Education: There is a significant gap in training opportunities for women, limiting their ability to advance in the sector. Without proper education and training, women are often relegated to lower-skilled and lower-paying positions. 

Feminist policies should focus on: 

• Equal access to resources through financial programs, affirmative action, and legal reforms.
• Workplace safety and anti-harassment policies with clear procedures for reporting harassment. 
• Training programs to equip women with necessary skills, including technical training, leadership development, and business management. 

Current Status and Challenges of Women in Agriculture

Agriculture is a vital sector in Nigeria, employing a significant portion of the population. However, women in agriculture face several challenges, including;

1. Inequitable Land Ownership: Women own a disproportionately small amount of agricultural land compared to men. This limits their ability to make decisions about land use and reduces their economic security. 
2. Limited Access to Credit and Inputs: Women often struggle to obtain the financial resources and agricultural inputs needed to improve their productivity. Banks and financial institutions frequently view women as higher-risk borrowers.
3. Socio-Cultural Barriers: Traditional gender roles and cultural norms restrict women’s participation in decision-making processes and limit their access to agricultural education and training. These barriers prevent women from fully engaging in and benefiting from agricultural activities.

To promote gender equality, policies should focus on: 

• Land reforms, ensuring women have equal rights to own and inherit land.
• Financial programs providing easier access to credit and agricultural inputs.
• Educational programs challenging traditional gender roles and equipping women with modern agricultural techniques. 

Current Status and Challenges of Women in Clean Energy

The clean energy sector offers opportunities for sustainable development, but women’s participation is limited due to gender bias, lack of representation, and training gaps. 

To enhance women’s participation, policies should focus on: 

• Promoting gender equality in education through scholarships, mentorship, and awareness campaigns.
• Implementing policies promoting women’s leadership and representation. – Creating networks and mentorship programs supporting women in clean energy. 

Case Studies 

Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) 

In regions like Zamfara and Niger, feminist policies have improved conditions through;

1. Health and safety regulations ensure safe working conditions. 
2. Economic empowerment programs provide financial literacy and business skills.
3. Community engagement programs fostering inclusive practices and challenging gender norms.

Women in Agribusiness 

In states like Kaduna and Kano, women-led cooperatives have succeeded through policies such as: 

1. Access to credit enabling investments in better technologies. 
2. Market access programs increase income and stability. 
3. Leadership training, empowering women in agribusiness. 

Women in Solar Energy 

In Lagos and Abuja, women have pioneered the solar energy sector through;

1. STEM education programs promoting girls’ studies in science and technology.
2. Entrepreneurship support, facilitating the growth of women-led businesses.
3. Advocacy campaigns raising awareness and reducing gender biases. 

Policy Recommendations 

To enhance feminist leadership and promote gender equality in Nigeria, there is a need to; 

1. Enact and enforce comprehensive gender equality legislation. 

2. Allocate resources through gender-sensitive budgeting. 

3. Ensure women’s representation in decision-making bodies. 

4. Develop educational programs challenging gender roles. 

5. Create and enforce anti-discrimination and harassment policies. 

6. Invest in infrastructure supporting women’s participation. 

7. Establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate feminist policies. 

Conclusion 

Improving feminist leadership policy in Nigeria is essential for addressing gender inequalities in mining, agriculture, and clean energy. By implementing comprehensive feminist policies, Nigeria can create a more inclusive society.

Njemanze Ugoeze, an SDGs advocate, writes in from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

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, Njemanze Ugoeze, and as it relates to the project stated above.