The Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF) has made a resounding call for reforms to address the glaring exclusion of women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from leadership positions in Nigeria. In a groundbreaking report launched on Monday, supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the foundation shed light on the detrimental impacts of gender discrimination, societal barriers, and limited resources on the nation’s development.
Speaking on Tuesday, Dorothy Njemanze, the Executive Director of DNF, stressed the cost of neglecting women and PWDs, not just to individuals but to Nigeria’s overall progress. “By recognizing the issues faced by women and PWDs, we also acknowledge the missed opportunities for national progress,” she said. “Nigeria suffers from the gaps that arise from conditions that limit the involvement and contribution of women and PWDs.”
Alarming Statistics Reveal Stark Realities
The report paints a grim picture of systemic exclusion and its cascading effects on social and economic disparities. Citing the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index, the report highlights that over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, with women making up 60 percent of this number. The data points to pervasive barriers that hinder women’s access to economic opportunities, further deepening inequality.
The political sphere is equally disheartening, with women occupying just 6 percent of elected positions—the lowest representation in Africa. Female political aspirants often face harassment, intimidation, and violence, creating a hostile environment for participation. Despite the introduction of gender-focused bills aimed at addressing these issues, most remain stalled in the National Assembly, reflecting a lack of political will to enact meaningful change.
For PWDs, the situation is even more dire. The absence of robust legal protections continues to marginalize their political and leadership prospects. PWDs remain underrepresented in governance structures, perpetuating inequality and limiting their ability to contribute to policymaking processes.
Gender Bias in Security and Education
Nigeria’s deepening security crisis exacerbates the vulnerability of women and girls. The report underscores that gender-based violence is a rampant issue, disproportionately affecting women, disrupting their education, and jeopardizing maternal and infant health. Biases in the recruitment of women into security forces further weaken gender-sensitive policymaking, leaving systemic issues unaddressed.
Education is another critical area of concern. The report highlights that Nigeria has 20 million out-of-school children, with 60 percent being girls and approximately 7 million living with disabilities. Cultural norms, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure are major barriers, depriving girls and PWDs of the opportunity to access quality education and break the cycle of poverty.
Healthcare and Economic Disparities
Healthcare access remains a challenge for Nigerian women, with high maternal mortality rates and cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) persisting in many regions. The lack of quality healthcare services for women underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in the health sector.
Economically, women and PWDs face significant hurdles, including limited access to assets, credit, and formal employment. These challenges stifle their potential to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth. Gender disparities are also evident in sports, media, and creative industries, where women often encounter discrimination in accessing funding, training, and career advancement opportunities.
A Call to Action
The DNF report offers a roadmap for addressing these inequities, recommending the urgent implementation of the National Gender Policy and the enforcement of strict anti-discrimination laws. It also calls for the passage of five pending gender-focused bills in the National Assembly to promote inclusivity across all sectors.
Njemanze emphasized the importance of proactive measures, stating, “The time to act is now. By fostering inclusivity, we are not just advocating for equity; we are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s sustainable development and prosperity.”
The Way Forward
The report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for Nigeria to embrace inclusivity and equity. Empowering women and PWDs is not merely a social obligation but an economic and political necessity for the nation’s growth. Without deliberate reforms, Nigeria risks perpetuating cycles of poverty, inequality, and stagnation.
As the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation amplifies its call for change, the onus now lies on policymakers, stakeholders, and society at large to rise to the challenge and create a more inclusive Nigeria.
