Nigeria: Women Seek Strategy to Address Gender Concerns

Kelli Mack/ January 31, 2008/ 4:34 pm/ Gender Issues
The Federal government in Nigeria has come together to establish and strengthen gender focal points at all levels. This meeting was to ensure that gender concerns are addressed and implemented into policies and fiscal decisions. It is urged that gender issues become part of budget planning and implementation. These recommendations are a part of a statement issued by a coalition of non-governmental organizations.
At this meeting, the groups noted that Nigeria has made some efforts to promote gender equality at the global, continental, sub-regional and national level. These include the Beijing Platform for Actions, the Paris Declaration, and the Millenium Development Goals. The opportunity to address these issues, especially feminised poverty, especially at the grassroots level is reflected in todays public policy discourse. And in Nigeria, women make up nearly half of the population, so the implementation of gender policies is very important.
In Nigeria, females have a higher drop out rate than men at the secondary level of education. The implementation of gender policies, especially in the fiscal area would allow more education for women as well as the maternal health of women. There are an estimated 37,000 maternal deaths per year. Also by aiding women, the government would be aiding the countries economy because by allowing women the right to credit and other such things, they can become a viable part of the economy.
Overall, Nigeria is committed to making gender issues part of their policies and integrating gender into their fiscal planning. Overall, they are helping the status of women and their economy at the same time.
I was glad to read this article and the others I've read so far this semester. It seems like a lot of countries are trying to make a difference in their gender policies. Its also great to hear that Nigeria has realized that it can also capitalize on the power of women and make their economy better by having women participate fully in it.