Promoting Gender Equality For Sustainable Development Using The National Gender Policy

 

By

Dr. Otive Igbuzor

Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria,

Plot 590 cadastral zone,

Central Area, Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: Otive.Igbuzor@actionaid.org

otiveigbuzor@yahoo.co.uk

 

As we approach the international women’s day for the year 2008, there is the need to revisit the position of women in society and what needs to be done to promote gender equity and bring about sustainable development. In this paper, we argue, that the National Gender Policy is one instrument that can be used in Nigeria if it is effectively operationalised.

 

It has been well established that every society has the capacity to develop and all societies strive for development. But the concept of development is a very controversial one. We have argued elsewhere that the definitions and interpretations of development are influenced by history, discipline, ideological orientation and training.[i] Chambers defines development as “good change”.[ii] This definition envisages that development is synonymous with progress. This progress should entail an all-encompassing improvement, a process that builds on itself and involve both individuals and social change.[iii] Kamghampati argues that development requires growth and structural change, some measure of distributive equity, modernization in social and cultural attitudes, a degree of political transformation and stability, an improvement in health and education so that population growth stabilizes, and an increase in urban living and employment.[iv] In our view, development always involves change that affects various facets of life including economic, social and political spheres. Sustainable development means that development is achieved without excess environmental degradation, in a way that both protects the rights and opportunities of coming generations and contributes to compatible approaches.[v] 

 

In order to promote sustainable development, there is the need for citizens to participate in the economy, politics and social development of society. Men and Women have roles to play in societal development. It has been documented that despite the perception that gender inequality is despicable in most parts of the world, the reality of life is that there is gross inequality between men and women in all facets of life.[vi] Women all over the world are marginalized. Even in the so-called advanced democracies, women are still marginalized. For instance in the United Kingdom and the United States, women representation in parliament was 9.1 and 9.0 percent respectively as at 1994.[vii] The UNDP’s 1995 Human Development Report estimated that women’s unpaid work is equivalent to some $11 trillion annually.[viii] Although women constitute over 50 percent of the population of the world, they are relegated to the background in every facet of life.  There are a lot of factors responsible for this including culture, religion, politics, economy and patriarchy. We have argued elsewhere that in order to address the women question and transform gender relations, there is the need to challenge patriarchy in all its manifestations in domestic production, paid employment, culture and religion, sexuality, male violence and the State; and specifically promote women’s rights. [ix]

 

There are a lot of declarations and policies meant to promote gender equality but a lot of factors have made them not to work. It has been documented that:

A combination of global trends- the predominance of the neo-liberal economic framework, growing militarization, and rising fundamentalism- have created an environment that is increasingly hostile to the advancement of women’s human rights. Since Beijing, the neo-liberal economic model and market driven policies- particularly changes in trade and finance rules, and the deregulation and privatisation of public goods and services- have increased poverty and intensified inequalities between and within nations, with the highest impact falling on women, the majority and poorest of the poor. Women’s work in the care economy remains unaccounted for in gender-blind macroeconomic policy and poverty reduction strategies that further exacerbate the feminization of poverty.

These conditions are perpetuated and structural inequalities reinforced by the enormous power wielded by large corporations and the World Trade Organization, along with failed economic prescription imposed by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The dominance of these institutions in conjunction with the most unilateralist US administration in decades has deepened the crisis in global governance and contributed to the weakening of the United Nations.[x]

 

In Nigeria, efforts have been made to make both men and women contribute to national development. In the year 2000, a National Policy on Women was adopted to promote the contribution of women to development. But after six years, it became clear that

women focused strategies alone could only slow down the pace of achieving gender equality in the facets of development. An overarching strategy for gender equality in development process is likely to be that which take women and men as partners in development, and more importantly, that which challenges the structure which continues to produce gender based inequalities in the society, and balances power relations between women and men for growth and development both at micro and macro levels.[xi]

 

This led to the adoption of the National Gender Policy in 2006. There is no doubt that the National Gender Policy is a veritable instrument for promoting gender equality and sustainable development.

 

The National Gender Policy is unique in many ways. First, it is aligned with relevant international and national instruments such as Beijing Platform for Action, New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), AU Solemn Declaration for Gender Equality, African Protocol on People’s Rights and the Rights of Women, the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), International Conference on Population Development Plan of Action, NEEDs, MDGs and a wide range of sectors.[xii] Secondly, the policy recognised the need for a different approach which will not only ensure women empowerment, but a sustainable development for the country through gender equality policy initiatives which would help balance power relations between men and women, and transform the institutions which continue to perpetuate gender injustice, poverty and underdevelopment.[xiii] Thirdly, the methodology of drawing up the policy involved some level of consultation of stakeholders during the stages of problem formulation, data gathering, analysis and validation and policy formulation.  Fourthly, the policy recognises that an efficient management system is necessary for opeartionalisation of the policy and points out that skills are required in policy analysis; programme planning; gender mainstreaming; strategic planning; communication; advocacy; networking; gender analysis; social analysis; report writing etc. Finally, The National Gender Policy Situational Analysis and Framework Vol 1 contains a detailed description of the policy thrust, outcome, goals, objectives and priorities of the national gender policy as well as the roles of several stakeholders including the federal Executive Council, Ministry of Women affairs and Social Development, other line Ministries and parasatals, National Centre for Women Development, National Bureau of Statistics, National Planning Commission, National Orientation Agency, Federal Character Commission, Independent Electoral Commission, Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council, Education commissions (NUC, NERDC, NAPTIP, UBE, Mass Literacy Agency. In addition, there are role for special committees of the Federal Ministry of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in implementing the National Gender Policy such as the National Council on Women Affairs, National Consultative and Co-ordinating Committee on Gender Equity and National Technical Team of Gender Experts. Indeed, at the local government level, there is local government GEWE unit and Community Based Committees on Gender Equity.

 

There is no doubt that the adoption of the National Gender Policy is a watershed in the effort to promote gender equality and sustainable development. But the challenge is in translating the policy into action in terms of concrete programmes and projects.

 

Theory and practice has established that there is always a challenge in the translation of policies and strategies into definite programmes, projects and activities. In order to operationalsie strategies, there is the need to follow the following 4 steps that moves in a cycle.

1.     Constitution of the relevant bodies to implement policies and strategies: The first action in operationalising a policies and strategy is to designate the people and structures that will implement the strategy.

2.     Strategy Formulation and Implantation: The importance of strategy in the performance of any organization cannot be over-emphasized. Effective strategy formulation requires among other things going through the strategy development process, strategic thinking and strategy implantation. Strategy implantation involves all tasks, tools and techniques which help to create an organization wide strategy ownership, consciousness, focus, co-operation and commitment.[xiv] It involves a lot of education, marketing, operationalising, designing performance standards, control system and procedures (standard operating procedures) and inspiring change through effective strategic leadership.

3.     Implementation plan: Translating the strategy into programme, projects and activities: It is well documented that implementation is a huge challenge in Nigeria. There are a lot of good laws, policies and programmes which are poorly implemented. Scholars are in agreement that implementation is the graveyard of public policies and programmes in Nigeria.[xv]  However, it has been shown that with a good framework and design, proper planning, costing and step by step implementation, participation, and transparency, a good result can be achieved.[xvi] We can delineate five clear steps from standard strategic planning cycle:

i.                                                  Setting Targets: Set milestones on a roadmap to achieving the objective of the programme. Ensure that the milestone is SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bound.

ii.                                                  Deciding Strategies of Implementation: Work out how each target will be achieved.

iii.                                                  Planning and Allocating Resources: Estimate the human, financial, material and other resources needed to achieve the targets.

iv.                                                  Implementation: Carry out the activities outlined to achieve the targets and co-ordinate to ensure achievement of objectives.

v.                                                  Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation: Meet periodically to review progress in deploying the implementation strategies. Monitor the inputs and measure the out puts. Establish a baseline before the commencement of implementation. Ensure participation of stakeholders in the process.

 

4.     Feedback, Reflection and Review: Set out time to reflect on procedures, systems and programmes with the objective of continuous quality improvement.

 

In ActionAid, we recognise that the status of women and girls in any society is one of the best indicators of economic, social and political development. [xvii]  It is therefore imperative that the key stakeholders in government, civil society, media and the private sector should be able to identify strategic programmes to operationalise the national gender policy. In particular, attention must be paid to the four critical spheres of life that are critical to a woman’s well wellbeing and advancement: political, economic, social/cultural/religious and personal.

 

If this is done, then we are on the way to promoting gender equality and advancing sustainable development in Nigeria.

 


 


[i] Igbuzor, O. (2005), Perspectives on Democracy and Development. Lagos, Joe-Tolalu & Associates.

[ii] Chambers, R (1997), Whose Reality Counts? Putting the First Last. London, Intermediate Technology Publications

[iii] Thomas,  A. (2000), “Meanings and Views of Development” in Allen, T and Thomas, A (Eds), Poverty and Development into the 21st Century. UK, Oxford University Press.

[iv] Kambhampati, U. S. (2004), Development and the Developing World. USA, Blackwell Publishing Inc.

[v] Dalal-Clayton, B. and Bass, S. (Ed) (2002), Sustainable Development Strategies: A Resource Book. London, OECD and UNDP.

[vi] Akinboye, S. O. (2004), Paradox of Gender Equality in Nigerian Politics. Lagos, Concept Publications Limited

[vii] It is interesting to note that in some Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden, the representation of Women in Parliament is as high as 38 percent(Nwankwo, N ). It is is 30 percent in South Africa(Budlender, D. and Hewitt, G. (2002), Gender Budgets Make More Cents: Country Studies and Good Practice. London, Commonwealth Secretariat

[viii] Morna, C. L. (2000), Gender Budgeting: Myths and Realities. A Paper presented at the 25 years International Womens Politics Workshop in Bonn from 13-14 October, 2000.

[ix] Igbuzor, O. (2005), Perspectives on Democracy and Development. Lagos, Joe-Tolalu & Associates.

[x] Women’s Environment & Development Organisation (WEDO)(2005) Beijing Betrayed: Women Worldwide Report that Governments Have Failed to Turn the Platform into Action. USA.

[xi] National Gender Policy: Situation Analysis and Framework

[xii] Chiroma, I. M. ( 2006), Foreword in National Gender Policy

[xiii] National Gender Policy Vol. 1. p. XVI

[xiv] Mba, J. Institute of Strategic Management Strategic management II Study Manual

[xv] Igbuzor, O. (2004), An Evaluation of the Provision of Quality Drugs in North Eastern Nigeria. An unpublished PhD  thesis  in Public Administration of the Department of Political Science and Administration, University of Maiduguri.

[xvi] National Planning Commission (2005), SEEDS Manual: From Strategy to Action-A Framework Guide for Development Planning

[xvii] ActionAid (2006), Power, Inclusion and Righst –based approaches: The ActionAid Gender Equality and RBA Resource Kit