Women In Nigeria Research Articles

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Gender Inequality in Nigeria: Education and Empowerment of Women in Focus

This paper focuses on gender inequality in the area of education and empowerment of women in Nigeria. This has become significant in this time of novel global wealth coming with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR). It was discovered through a doctrinal research that, Nigeria, aside from having many national legislations on gender equality, is also a signatory to major international human rights instruments on gender equality. However, the workability of these legal frameworks has remained doubtful as there are wide range of gender inequalities which makes it difficult for Nigerian women to achieve their full potentials. Intellectually, higher number of Nigerian men goes to school than women. It follows from here that, men in Nigeria are undoubtedly gainfully employed than the women. Women in Nigeria are often circumscribed to low-paying and very repetitive jobs. In view of this realization, there is every possibility of increased and massive inequality and unemployment as robots seems ready to replace the women work force in Nigeria. Hence, the researcher asks the question as to; how relevant will Nigerian women be in the area of education and empowerment in this time of FIR, despite the presence of the law? This paper argues that the legal framework on gender equality in Nigeria are mere cosmetological set up, which had not impacted on equality between women and men, despite the Women in Development theory (WID), which has been made part and parcel of the legal framework. The paper fears that if these inequality persists, there will be no place for Nigerian women in the FIR. Concerted efforts are required on the part of the government of Nigeria to see to the workability of the laws on gender equality so as to make women relevant in the FIR. It is in the light of the far-reaching implications of this that the makes recommendations.

Contextual Factors Associated with Pregnancy Termination among Young Women in Nigeria

Pregnancy termination where it is illegally performed has serious implications for women’s current and future well-being. In this study, I investigated the association between contextual factors and pregnancy termination among 13,724 young women based on data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Three mixed-effect logistic regression models were estimated. Results reveal that 8.68% had ever terminated a pregnancy. Southern women (AOR = 0.68, p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.48–0.96) and those who resided in communities with a high wealth level (AOR = 0.63, p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.43–0.90), high education level (AOR = 0.43, p < 0.01; 95% CI: 0.33–0.56), and high media exposure (AOR = 0.74, p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.61–0.89) had lower odds of pregnancy termination than those who resided in communities with high unmet need for family planning (AOR = 2.19, p < 0.01; 95% CI: 1.76–2.73). Public health policy would benefit from a better understanding of how context enhances demand for pregnancy termination.

Sexualiy and Aging among Older Men and Women in Nigeria as an Aspect of Sexual Health

Sexualiy and Aging among Older Men and Women in Nigeria as an Aspect of Sexual Health

Fertility Determinants among Reproductive Age Women in Nigeria: Evidence from Some Modelling Techniques

Fertility Determinants among Reproductive Age Women in Nigeria: Evidence from Some Modelling Techniques

Variations in Desired Fertility Preferences among Young and Older Women in Nigeria: Evidence from Demographic Health Survey 2018

Background: Despite many countries of the world with fertility below replacement level, fertility rate in Nigeria remains high with contributing factors associated with high fertility preference and the desire for large families. Objectives: This paper explores variations in desired fertility preference among Nigerian women within the reproductive ages 15 to 49. It considers the impact of proximate factors of age, wealth, education, use of contraceptives, and other associated factors on fertility preference. Methods: Using Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2018) data, responses of 33924 women with children of 0-60months (birth recode file) were considered. Fertility preference is measured by “ideal no of children”. Responses from the dataset were coded into two groups (desire 1-4 children and desire more than 4 children) based on the implicit Four-child Policy of National Policy on Population for Development, Unity, Progress, and Self-reliance of 1988. We use descriptive statistics, logistic regression and cox proportional regression to identify the size and associating impacts of identified explanatory variables on the two groups. Results: Many Nigerian women desire more than four children, with ideal family desire of more than four children higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Wealthy and educated households have lower fertility preferences. Younger women within ages 15-29 tend to desire lower fertility but use fewer contraceptives than middle-aged women 30-49. Only 12% of Nigerian women within the reproductive ages use contraceptives. Conclusion: Educating younger women through community-based sensitization programs would reduce the desire for large family size and prevent unintended pregnancy.

Modelling determinants of geographical Patterns in the Marital Statuses of Women in Nigeria

Marriage is an important social, cultural, and biological aspect of human life but is often affected by societal changes leading to differences in family formation and reproductive behaviour. Changes in marital patterns are component of transformations in a society’s social structure. Variations in marriage patterns exist within and across countries and over time. We examine the trends and spatial patterns of marital statuses among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Nigeria and further determine the associated factors based on the country’s north–south divide. Data were sourced from the Nigeria demographic and health survey conducted in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018, and the marital patterns were classified into four categories: never married, married, cohabiting, and formerly married. A Bayesian multinomial spatial model that simultaneously estimates parameters of different forms through a geo-additive predictor was adopted, and inference was based on Markov chain Monte Carlo. Findings reveal a north–south divide in marriage patterns. Women in the northern part of the country have a higher likelihood of being in marital union, while those in the south have a higher likelihood of cohabitation. A somewhat east–west divide was obtained for formerly married. Religion and ethnicity were found to be the major factors that account for differences in marital patterns across the divide and based on rural and urban residency. Cultural practices dictated by these variables would, therefore, continue to shape marital patterns and, by extension, fertility in Nigeria. The factors are hence important to be considered in marriage related policy formulation.

Gender Based Violence and Violence against Women in Nigeria: A Sociological Analysis

Gender Based Violence and Violence against Women in Nigeria: A Sociological Analysis

Adoption, Motivation and Patterns of Social Media Use among Women in Nigeria

The advent of digitisation which has ushered in the new and social media is providing opportunities for all to redefine and form their identities. Hence, across countries and cultures, new digital cultures are evolving, shading off repressive tendencies and giving voice to the voiceless. It is against this backdrop that this study “adoption, motivation and patterns of social media use among women in Nigeria” set out to assess the level at which women in Nigeria are digital compliant particularly in the use of social media, what motivates their presence in social media and the patterns of social media usage among them. Anchored on the Uses and Gratification as well as the Diffusion of Innovation Theories, the paper surveyed 384 females drawn from the six geo political zones of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Data collected and analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics revealed an adoption and use of social media by females of all categories but especially the younger females. The study also showed that, in terms of motivation and patterns of use, younger females’ preference for social media lies in their need for popularity and self-identity, while the older females basically use social media for business and self-improvement. The paper in general concludes that, Nigerian women use of social media is not beneficial in terms of self and economic development

Corporate Social Responsibility and Traditional Practices Recognized as Violence Against Women in Nigeria’s Oil Region

We examine the impact of multinational oil companies’ (MOCs’) corporate social responsibility (CSR) on traditional practices recognized as violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Nigeria’s oil region. Results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that MOCs’ CSR play a significant role in empowering women and girls with information and education to protect their human rights. This implies that CSR offers an opportunity for MOCs to help address prevalence of child early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, sex trafficking, virginity testing, and taboos through a business case for stakeholders’ human right protection.

Informal Saving Group: A Pathway to Financial Inclusion among Rural Women in Nigeria

Financial inclusion is a key to economic development and has continually gained increased attention across countries, particularly in developing countries where there is relatively high rate of financial exclusion. In Nigeria, despite several measures taken to promote financial inclusion, there is still high rate of financial exclusion among rural women, as rural people and women are generally more financially excluded. This article provides an overview of financial inclusion, analysis of the patterns and dynamics of financial inclusion in Nigeria and the pathway for promoting financial inclusion among rural women is discussed. The article posits informal savings groups as a potential pathway to financial inclusion among rural women, by reviewing journal articles and grey literatures. The review shows that most rural women are participating in informal saving groups, but these saving groups are however faced with some challenges, such as limited income base, inability to receive remittance and vulnerability to theft. The pathway to financial inclusion among rural women discussed include, sensitizing these rural women through financial literacy, thereafter fostering informal saving groups which most rural women are already aware of their operations and thirdly, linking these groups to formal financial institutions. We conclude that informal saving groups have great potentials of accelerating financial inclusion among rural women, therefore Government should carry out financial literacy campaigns among rural women and policies that promote financial inclusion should be designed building on informal saving groups.

Marital Stress and Married Working Women in Nigeria: the Role of Coping Strategies, Self-Concept and Educational Qualification

In this 21st century a lot of women are experiencing martial challenges due to the various and important roles they perform in the home and in the society, which may require some psychological remedies. The study investigated the influence of coping strategies, self-concept and educational level on marital stress among married working women. The participants whose age ranged from 25 – 55 years with mean age of 40.63 and standard deviation of 7.59 were 377. They responded to three instruments. A 2 x 2 x 2 Analysis of Variance was used to analyze the data. Thus, the results showed that married working women who adopted emotion-focused strategies presented less marital stress symptoms F (1, 369) = 4.44, p&lt;. 05; those with higher educational level presented less marital stress symptoms F (1, 369) = 6.33, p&lt;.05. The results also showed that there were significant interaction effects of coping strategies and self-concept F (1, 369) = 5.88, p&lt;. 05; and self-concept and educational level F (1, 369) = 4.18 p&lt;. 05. Based on the outcome of this study, it was recommended that married working women should strive for higher education and also use emotion-focused coping strategies in the face of marital stress.

Advocating for the Protection of Rights of Children and Women in Nigeria: An Appraisal

Abstract The protection of children and women in Nigeria is very critical because their integration in every sphere is a precedent to the growth and development of nations. However, they face diverse discrimination and violence because they are very vulnerable. The object of this study is to examine the rights of children and women by x-raying the various legal and institutional frameworks that provide for their rights, as well as dangers posed by taking their rights for granted. The work analyses factors that inhibit their protection and proffers a viable solution. In this paper, we adopt the doctrinal and empirical methods of legal research. The study discovers that despite a legion of legislation, children and women are exposed to many factors such as legal, social, economic, and obnoxious cultural practices. Further, the work reveals that inherent lapses are visible in our legal framework particularly the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Child‘s Rights Act and other relevant legislation. Accordingly, the work recommends for the eradication of factors that promote child and women abuse and review of relevant laws. The work further recommends for a serious synergy between the government and non-governmental organizations for the protection of children and women.

Gender Socio-Economic Perspective of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

The global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which emanated from Hubei, China, has hit Nigeria very hard. The adverse impact on the Nation’s economy has been exacerbated by the fall in crude oil prices. Women in Nigeria generally lived in poverty even before the advent of the pandemic. The lockdown and isolation enforced by the government since the entry of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria have disengaged some Women and left many of them unemployed, thereby worsening their socio-economic conditions. Women are considered an important factor in socio-economic development in every nation. The objective of engaging them in the economic relief and recovery packages during the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be over-emphasized. Women are the main pillars that can lead to quick intervention in the fight against the pandemic. This paper analyzes how the absence of socio-economic activities has impacted the livelihood and opportunities for women during the pandemic, using secondary data such as journals, newspapers, books, and the internet. The paper underscores that the crisis has largely affected women, as many who are petty traders and entrepreneurs have lost their means of subsistence. Therefore, it concludes that it is imperative for the government to formulate socio-economic policies for women that can create opportunities in all areas of life, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This will revamp the economy and fast track recovery from the pandemic and give Nigeria a quick turn around.

Effectiveness of Melon Shelling Technology and Preference by Rural Women in Nigeria

Few years ago National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) launched melon sheller to reduce burden of obtaining melon oil and cake, and to enhance rural women’s productivity. This study looked at the productivity of promoted melon shelling technology and preference by rural women in Nigeria. Data were gathered from the NCAM workshop and survey of melon processors in Niger State. In the workshop, it was found that time allowed for soaking melon and covering with piece of clothes contributed to the productivity of the sheller. Results from survey revealed that 95.1% of the respondents’ preferred Internal Combustion technology and 90.2% liked electric-driven melon shellers over the manual one. Also, 69.5% obtained the shellers from local fabricators rather than NCAM. The technology led to increased turnout of melon (378kg/hr) and reduced wastages to 1.26kg out of 75.6kg. The study concluded that the promoted melon sheller is efficient and have positive implication on the rural women’s productivity and revenue. The study recommends that the rural women should put the melon sheller into its maximum capacity use. The NCAM should extend training to the local fabricators so that they can improve on the technology most especially in the areas of winnowing and washing of melon kernels.

Perception of Mobile Health Maternal Healthcare Services among Pregnant Women in Nigeria

The daunting challenge of maternal deaths resulting from preventable causes has remained a major public health issue in the developing countries of Africa and it is yet to be fully tackled. Empirical knowledge of the awareness of mobile health (m-health) maternal healthcare services among pregnant women in these parts, therefore, holds an important key to achieving success in reproductive health issues across the affected populations. Despite the introduction of mobile health services, the desirable state of reduced maternal mortality figures is yet to be achieved. This study sought to ascertain the level of awareness, extent of adoption and the challenges of m-health maternal services in southeast Nigeria. Our analysis of questionnaire-survey data on pregnant women from three states of Nigeria shows that 89.7% of respondents were aware of m-health in the study areas. However, awareness of the existence of m-health for maternal healthcare is different from usage of m-health in maternal healthcare delivery. The major challenges to its use are network failure from service providers and lack of funds for subscription, which may also mean that mobile phone ownership alone does not determine the success of m-health maternal health services in these parts. This leads to one of the recommendations that those who design mobile health application should consider offline mechanism as an alternative to the recurring network failure, for ease of use of such technology.

Effect of sexual violence on planned, mistimed and unwanted pregnancies among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.

IntroductionSexual violence plays a key role in women's pregnancy intention. We investigated the influence of sexual violence on planned, mistimed, and unwanted pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Materials and methodsData from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 22 countries in SSA were used in this study. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. We carried out a multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine the effect of sexual violence on planned, mistimed, and unwanted pregnancies. STATA version 14.2 was used to carry out all analyses. Statistical significance was declared at p<0.05.ResultsAt the descriptive level, we found that 74.1% of women of reproductive age in SSA had planned pregnancies, with the remaining 25.9% having either mistimed (20.4%) or unwanted (5.5%) pregnancies. Women in Nigeria had the lowest proportion of mistimed pregnancies (7.5%) whereas those in Burundi had the greatest percentage of unwanted pregnancies (12.4%). Women who had history of sexual violence had increased risk of mistimed [ARRR = 1.5, CI = 1.3–1.7] and unwanted pregnancies [ARRR = 1.6, CI = 1.3–2.0], compared to those with no history of sexual violence. Women aged 40–44 [ARRR = 3.3, CI = 1.4–7.6] and 45–49 [ARRR = 4.4, CI = 1.7–11.2] had higher risk of unwanted pregnancies, compared to women aged 15–19. Women who were cohabiting had higher risk of mistimed [ARRR = 1.3, CI = 1.1–1.4] and unwanted pregnancies [ARRR = 1.6, CI = 1.3–2.1], compared to married women.ConclusionSexual violence plays a key role in mistimed and unwanted pregnancies. It is, therefore, prudent to develop various assessment techniques to detect sexual violence in unions and refer victims to appropriate services to diminish the risk of mistimed and unwanted pregnancies. Our findings provide a basis for developing and implementing policies and interventions aimed at reducing mistimed and unwanted pregnancies.

An Urgent Need to Extend the Frontiers of the Legal Regime on Gender-Based Sexual Violence Against Women in Nigeria

The rate of gender based violence against women is ostensibly and palpably on the continuous rise in the African hemisphere and indeed in Nigeria. International studies reveal that approximately 20% of women and 5–10% of men report being victims of sexual violence as children, hence, violence among young people, including dating violence, is also a major problem. GBV includes intimate partner violence, non-part-ner sexual assault, female genital mutilation, sexual exploitation and abuse, child abuse, female infanti¬cide, and child marriage. Such violence perpetuates injustice against an important segment of society and regresses the proper development of humanity in Nigeria. This article deftly and subtly examines the legal framework of gender-based sexual violence against Women in Nigeria. The paper undertakes an analysis of the various criminal laws applied in respect of the subject matter in Nigeria. The paper discovers the several premises from which huge systemic changes can be effected on the VAPPA which is a contemporary legislation especially in the enforcement of punitive provisions of the said legislations. The paper therefore calls for an appraisal of some of the anachronistic legislation as they are largely inactive and do not serve as an effective deterrent against perverse predators in the society.

Previous Marriage Outcomes and Fertility Preference among Re-Married Women in Nigeria: Analysis from 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

With increasing rate of re-marriage, women’s decision to stick to their intended fertility may be influenced by the dictate of men who demand additional child to consummate the new union. This study examined the influence of previous marriage outcome on women’s fertility preference by analysing 2013 NDHS weighted sample data of 2,671 Nigerian women, who reported to have re-married. The analysis employed Chi-square test and Multinomial Logistic Regression Model. The result indicates that, apart from previous marriage outcome, ideal number of children, wealth status, and ethnicity are predictors of re-married women’s fertility preference. Women who lost their husband in their previous marriage were more likely to desire no more children than other categories of women. The study recommends enlightenment campaign to empower women, especially the widowed to make informed choices about their marital status after the death of husbands, also, to increase their sexual bargaining power in later remarried union.

Failure to Meet up to Expectation: Examining Women’s Activist Groups in the Post-Colonial Period in Nigeria

AbstractWomen’s activism within various ethnic groups in Nigeria dates back to the pre-colonial era, with notable heroic leaders, like Moremi of Ife, Amina of Zaria, Emotan of Benin, Funmilayo Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and many others. The participation of Nigerian women in the Beijing Conference of 1995 led to a stronger voice for women in the political landscape. Several women’s rights groups have sprung up in the country over the years. Notable among them are the Federation of Nigerian Women’s Societies (FNWS), Women in Nigeria (WIN), Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) and Female in Nigeria (FIN). However, majority have failed to actualize significant political, social or economic growth. This paper examines the challenges and factors leading to their inability to live up to people’s expectations. Guided by patriarchy and liberal feminism theories, this paper utilizes both historical and descriptive methods to examine these factors. The paper argues that a lack of solidarity among women’s groups, financial constraints, unfavourable political and social practices led to the inability of women’s groups in Nigeria to live up to the envisaged expectations. The paper concludes that, for women’s activist groups to survive in Nigeria, a quiet but significant social revolution is necessary among women. Government should also formulate and implement policies that will empower women politically, economically and socially.

Disclosure of Same-Sex Sexual Practices to Family and Healthcare Providers by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Nigeria

Disclosure of same-sex sexual practices by men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) may facilitate appropriate healthcare engagement, including risk assessment for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and negotiation of condom use with partners. However, disclosure may also generate stigma. In these cross-sectional analyses, MSM and TGW were categorized based on self-report of disclosure to family members and healthcare providers (HCP) at enrollment into the TRUST/RV368 study of comprehensive HIV and STI care programs in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to estimate relative risk of disclosure with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to compare condom use and stigma indicators by disclosure status. Of 2557 participants who answered baseline questions about disclosure, 384 (15.0%) had ever disclosed to a family member and 733 (28.7%) to HCP, including 192 (7.5%) who disclosed to both. Higher education, prevalent HIV infections, and residence in Lagos were each associated with increased likelihood of disclosure to family and HCP. Older participants were more likely to disclose to HCP but not family. Participants who made a disclosure to family or HCP were more likely to report condom use during anal sex as well as perceived and experienced stigma that included healthcare avoidance, blackmail, assault, and sexual violence as compared to participants who had not disclosed. Improved disclosure practices within safe spaces may enhance engagement of MSM and TGW in healthcare and HIV prevention services.