In a bid to tackle gender inequalities and promote inclusivity, Nigeria implemented the National Gender Policy (2021-2026), building upon the foundation laid by its 2006 predecessor. Rooted in international conventions and linked to various national policies, the current policy strives to create a just society, free of discrimination; ENE OSHABA writes.
The policy
The National Gender Policy (NGP) is a pivotal framework setting minimum standards for gender equality, aligning with Agenda 2030’s core principle of ‘leave no one behind.’ This article delves into the methodology, content, benefits, and the imperative for Akwa Ibom, Ogun, and Bauchi states to adopt this transformative policy.
According to the former President Muhammadu Buhari, women and men, girls and boys, and the socially excluded should be fully represented in governance and in every sphere of endeavor to enable them to actualise their potentials.
Buhari noted that the provisions of this National Gender Policy were embraced by the government across sectors and at all levels to provide the much-needed social reforms that would guarantee “our social contract.”
He maintained that it was impossible to achieve the change desired by Nigerians without gender parity and social inclusivity, while stressing the promotion and protection of the well-being of Nigeria’s population, and those at the periphery of economic development, as key to sustainable development.
“I hereby endorse and charge all actors to adopt the revised National Gender Policy (2021 – 2026) as a framework for achieving national growth and socio-economic development in both private and public sectors,” he said.
The rationale
The NGP addresses ‘gendered power relations,’ aiming to eliminate social, political, and economic exclusion. Aligned with Nigeria’s Constitution, it recognises that inclusive development requires the active participation of both men and women.
Unlike its predecessor, the revised NGP places practical and strategic gender needs at the forefront, emphasising the importance of gender equality in poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth, and effective governance. It aligns with global initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals, positioning gender equality as a driver of progress.
Why it was developed
The Policy was developed in 2006 to provide strategic policy guidance for mainstreaming gender at all levels as well as address the inequalities that exist in the socioeconomic sphere.
In tandem with emerging global trends, particularly as the global development agenda translated from the Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals, a review of the National Gender Policy became expedient to address current challenges.
A former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, had noted the glaring gender disparities in the voting population in Nigeria (UN Women, 2019), in terms of representation in decision-making, accessing and controlling resources and socio-economic opportunities, noted that the policy if implemented will address these challenges.
She had said, “The policy became imperative to address declining economic performance, poverty, erosion of cultural values, and the fallout from the global financial crisis has resulted in increased vulnerabilities for the poor, marginalised, widows, persons living with disabilities, and orphans, especially women and girls.
“Emerging gender issues, including experiences of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups under current counter-insurgency, conflict, and complex humanitarian emergencies in the country; and in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals which requires policy objectives geared at meeting new globally agreed standards, among others.
“The policy review exercise recognizes that Nigerian women face barriers to full equality, empowerment, and advancement because of patriarchy, socialisation patterns, disability, socioeconomic status including their living conditions – rural/urban; refugee/internal displacement due to environmental disasters and various forms of violence (insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry), and epidemics.
“The National Gender Policy is committed to building a nation devoid of gender discrimination implementation to the nation, guaranteeing equal access to political, social and economic opportunities for women and men; and developing a culture that places premium on the protection of all persons including children and other vulnerable groups.”
Similarly, Mrs. Friya Kimde Bulus the Director, Gender Affairs at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, noted that the implementation of the National Gender Policy is crucial to the attainment of Nigeria’s development goals, medium and long-term strategic targets, and maintenance of regional and international commitments towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“The policy rationale and purpose seek to propel the historical and political movement for gender equality by providing a policy framework with professional analysis, implementation, and monitoring,” she said.
She explained that the policy presents a rights-based approach to achieving gender equality, women empowerment, and social inclusion; and promotes programmes that must be developed against an understanding of international commitments, and constitutional agreements.
“Gender equality requires equal enjoyment by women and men of all the socially valued goods, opportunities, resources, and rewards afforded by one’s citizenship. Gender equity strives for the equalisation of the life chances of women and men, and those naturally excluded from the development mainstream.
“The National Gender Policy aims to institute a paradigm shift in national policy-making and implementation from a gender-sensitive position that presumes gender equality and equity, to a gender-aware position which acknowledges that barriers that exist which prevent equal access and thus creates inequality.
“The National Gender Policy is informed by the guiding principles of social justice; human rights; equality and equity; good governance, accountability, transparency, and participation. In order to achieve gender equality, the following strategies and tools must be deployed: gender mainstreaming; gender-responsive budgeting; gender-aware information; gender analysis; cross-sectoral partnering/collaborations; gender training; gender-aware monitoring and evaluation, and the legislation of temporary special measures (gender-responsive affirmative actions).”
Bridging disparities
The policy aims to bridge social inclusion gaps, protect women’s rights, harness women’s economic potential, enhance participation in leadership, support education and health, and ensure equity in social protection. These objectives align with the broader goal of mainstreaming gender equality into national development.
It explores and fully harnesses women’s human capital assets as a growth driver for national development through women’s economic empowerment; advance women’s participation and representation in leadership and governance, and support women and girls’ education, lifelong health, survival, and sustainable development.
It also ensures that gender equity concerns are integrated into social protection, and complex humanitarian actions, legislations, and policies, ensures that the socially excluded groups (e.g. persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the poor) are mainstreamed in development practice.
“The overarching goal of the policy flowing from above is thus: to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment concerns into the national development process in order to improve the social, legal, civic, political, economic, and cultural conditions of the people of Nigeria; particularly women and men, boys and girls, elderly, poor and persons with disabilities in an appreciable manner as required by national and international frameworks.”
Benefits
Additionally the revised policy seeks a paradigm shift, emphasising gender awareness and mainstreaming as core strategies. With a five-year lifespan (2021-2026), it focuses on cooperation among stakeholders, drawing on international frameworks and incorporating gender analysis into policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Need for adoption, implementation
With women comprising 50% of Nigeria’s population, these states stand to benefit significantly. Investing in gender equality not only fosters a positive development cycle but also guards against lower productivity, slower economic growth, and weaker outcomes.
The Covid-19: impact
The Covid-19 outbreak highlighted structural inequalities affecting women and girls, emphasising the need for policies that address vulnerabilities. The NGP aims to mitigate such impacts, ensuring equal access to economic resources and recovery measures.
Transformative Approach – the NGP views men and boys as strategic agents of change, challenging traditional masculine roles. By adopting the Gender and Development (GAD) framework, it seeks to transform unequal gender relations and promote justice.
The Legal and Policy Environment of the NGP draws inspiration from international and regional legal frameworks, emphasizing human rights, equality, and non-discrimination. Key global instruments include the UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, and CEDAW, while Africa responds with the ACHPR, Maputo Protocol, and NEPAD.
Despite Legal and Policy Environment commitments, Nigeria lags in gender equality indices. A combination of civil, customary, and religious laws poses challenges, making it crucial for the NGP to bridge existing gaps and align with global standards.
Furthermore, the policy will ensure the eliminate gender-based discrimination in workplaces, ensuring equal pay for equal work; promote equal opportunities for career advancement, especially for women; address child labour, child marriage, and other harmful practices affecting women’s economic status, Tackle unemployment and underemployment, with a focus on youth and women, and Ensure labour laws are updated to reflect the changing nature of work and protect workers’ rights.
Additionally, it will enable the achievement of equal pay for equal work by 2025, Increase the representation of women in leadership positions in workplaces by at least 30% by 2025, Reduce child labor and child marriage rates by a significant percentage by 2025, as well as Decrease the unemployment rate, particularly among youth and women, by 2025.
Achieving NGP?
Experts have advocated for and enforce strict penalties for gender-based discrimination in workplaces; implement policies to support work-life balance, including maternity and paternity leave; strengthen awareness campaigns against harmful practices affecting women’s economic status, develop and implement programs to enhance skills and employability, especially for youth and women, collaborate with stakeholders to update and modernise labour laws to address current workplace dynamics.
The policy’s impact spans institutional, project, national, and sector levels. Stressing gender equality and human rights commitments, it aligns with the Nigerian Constitution and targets key areas such as education, health, agriculture, governance, and more.
More benefits
The NGP unfolds as a beacon for inclusive progress, breaking barriers and fostering a society where everyone, irrespective of gender, contributes optimally to national development. As Akwa Ibom, Ogun, and Bauchi consider adoption, the NGP emerges as a blueprint for transformative change, promoting a just and equitable society.
With the revised policy, Nigeria aims to eliminate gender inequality by focusing on clear tracking and monitoring mechanisms. To succeed, political will, societal transformation, patriarchy confrontation, and robust coordination are essential. The challenge lies in translating policy prescriptions into tangible frameworks that actualise gender equality and empowerment.
Finally, the National Gender Policy (2021-2026) is a transformative blueprint, and WARDC urges Akwa Ibom, Ogun, and Bauchi states to embrace its principles for a more equitable and inclusive future.
“The reasoning/grounds for the revised National Gender Policy is that it affirms the importance of gender equality, not only as a fundamental human right but also as essential to poverty reduction and improved living standards, sustainable economic growth, effective and accountable governance.
Gender equality is crucial for socio-economic development as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, including the Agenda 2063.”
