Inequality against women: Oxfam, stakeholders clamour for change

GENDER inequality has been identified as a major problem confronting Nigeria, despite its abundant human capital and economic potential as the largest economy in Africa.  Women and girls are still vulnerable and do not have equal opportunities as their male counterparts in many segments of the society which requires better policies and stronger institutions for women.

Vegetable farmers at work

Stakeholders in the society made this assertion at a seminar on inequality in Nigeria for journalists organised by Oxfam in Abuja, noting that contrary to the provision of 1999 Constitution (Section 16), the commonwealth of the country is concentrated in the hands of few thereby leaving poor majority, especially women, in abject poverty.

Women and girls frequently do not have control over resources and the norms. Restricting the kind of   jobs   considered appropriate for women restricts their earning potential in the labour market and business enterprise.

In several rural areas in Nigeria women go to farms but do not have a control over their products and the profit of the proceeds after sales.

Also, the lack of proper policies promoting the participation of women emerged as a key impediment to women’s effective participation in the Nigerian labour market.

Inequitable region

According to a 2012 publication of the African Development Bank, Africa is the second-most inequitable region in the world, after Latin America. “inequalities have not diminished over time. Women’s voices remain limited, with rates of gender-based violence reaching alarming levels. Poor access to legal rights, sexual and reproductive health services, freedom of movement, and political voice pose additional constraints for women.

The freedom of movement and participation in Nigerian labour market is explained by an anthropologist, Dr. Rebeca Uzezi who expressed great concern about the issue that has now been on the increase.

“Before we examine the extent of inequality with women it is important that we need to ask ourselves how to improve women’s employment and economic opportunities? What is the policy infrastructure like, and what policy reforms are needed to support and encourage more women to compete in the labour market?” she said

“In several parts of this country women’s movement is really restricted and this affects them negatively. Apart from the religious beliefs which is an area where we do not question, other cultural aspects does not give women the room to move freely and the men will always have an edge. These same women are the ones that train the children when the father is no longer there.

“By educating, building capacity and skills, especially for adult women, there will be increase in women’s negotiating skills and this will   help them to build their savings and improve their lives. According to sociologist, Jaye Gaskia, the socio cultural inequality in Nigeria determines a lot of factors that affect everyone including the women.

He noted that there is a total violation of  Section 16.2 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution by several factors including the state  which is meant to promote a planned and balanced economic development for everyone and remove concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.

Gaskia noted that every government in the country have seriously breached the constitution because when economic power is removed, other factors of livelihood is limited and the women will be greatly affected.

Material resources

“Inequality is a major issue affecting this country. There is a violation of all the principles of Section 16.2 of the 1999 Constitution. The part that states ‘that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good’, has never been applied. Why will inequality not continue in an alarming scale? He said

“Wealth is not sustainable in Nigeria because of the link  to the state and link to corruption. When all these are summed together, women will be at the receiving end. Oxfam’s Celestine Okwudli Odo noted that the paramount thing about the advocacy on inequality is giving the voice and speaking against it.

“Different policies we are having on gender, taxation, and livelihood; all these we have policy interventions driven by our local partners but the most important thing is giving the voice- supporting the voice to speak, to talk about issues that affect us. He said

“For us to be able to identify, to know what inequality is and how it could be tackled.   For us before engaging government, we should be able to proffer alternatives to them. What the government should do to reduce inequality that is exactly what Oxfam is doing”.

By Dotun Ibiwoye

Source- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/inequality-against-women-oxfam-stakeholders-clamour-for-change/