Abstract
his study investigates the performance of the Government of Nigeria and NGOs in the empowerment of women in the country. It examines the following research questions: is there a positive relationship between government policies and its inability to enforce domestic abuse crime, sexual harassment, and male hostile domination? Are NGOs women empowerment and women liberation programs more effective than those of the government of Nigeria? To address these questions, the study uses data on NGOs that provides major capacity building projects (i.e., women education, legal rights and entrepreneurship projects) and government programs for combating discrimination against women in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. This study uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine the role of government and NGOs in the empowerment of women in Nigeria On one hand, results point toward a negative relationship between government and women empowerment policies. On the other hand, result shows a positive correlation between NGOs and women empowerment in Nigeria. Further cultural, religious, social and economic factors as well as the lack of effective implementation of gender policies continue to militate against the integration of women in the country. Our research included a survey of some 2,250 women that have benefited from NGOs empowerment program. One striking discovery is that Nigerian women have benefited more from NGOs empowerment programs than those provided by the government. Women who benefited from NGOs empowerment programs have progressed from being victims of domestic abuse unemployment to entry-level jobs and subsequently to middle management. About 15 percent of them have move from middle management to senior management. The results of this study have implications for NGOs management in the context of women projects management and governments’ political willingness to collaborate with NGOs in addressing women’s empowerment and capacity-building issues in Nigeria.
Highlights
The history of women in Nigeria presents an account of tremendous abuse, discrimination and diversity in the country
This paper has examined the role of Nongovernmental organization (NGO) and government in the empowerment of women in Nigeria
It argues that equal respect and opportunities must be given to women and men in the sustainable development and capacity building processes in Nigeria
Summary
The history of women in Nigeria presents an account of tremendous abuse, discrimination and diversity in the country. The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, the customary and religious laws continue to restrict women’s rights (The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999). According to Dibie (2014) the combination of federal system of government, and a tripartite system of religious laws, civil and customary laws make it very difficult to harmonize legislation and remove discriminatory measure against women in Nigeria. The women’s movement for sexual equality in Nigeria began in the 1950s. It developed out of the larger social movement to gain independence from the British colonial administration (Okojie 1995; Kolawole 1988; Sha 2007; Ogidefa (2008). According to Angya (2005) women’s attempts to liberate themselves from the constraints of female role stereotypes have further induced a growing number of men to free themselves from male role stereotype
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