The Impact of Millennium Development Goals on Gender Equality in Nigeria (2005 – 2010)

The Impact of Millennium Development Goals on Gender Equality in Nigeria (2005 – 2010).

ABSTRACT 

This research work examines the impact of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria 2005-2010. The study contends that women have the same potentials, abilities, and skills to contribute in national development.

However, in Nigeria, gender equality/women empowerment is still a serious challenge to effective participation of women in politics. The data used in this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary method/source were research instrument (questionnaire) and oral interview. Some research questions were asked as a guide to the respondents.

The questionnaire contained (twenty two) structured questions designed in both open and close ended style. In addition, the questionnaire was validated and administered accordingly. Secondary sources of data collection on the other hand, included textbooks, journal, government documents and internet materials.

The study adopted simple percentage, tables, chi-square statistical analysis and descriptive method for data analysis. The data analysis revealed that: that the societal beliefs and perceptions constrain gender equality and women empowerment as well as their political participation in Nigeria.

Government policies to promote gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria are still not enough to achieve the Millennium Development Goals targets 2015; Poor education of women also contributes to lower efforts towards gender equality as well as the political participation of women in Nigeria.

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INTRODUCTION

In its 2000 Millennium Declarations, the United Nations set eight goals for development, called the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Izueke (2009). It is strongly believed by scholars like Mustapha (2008) and Igbzor (2004) that these goals set an ambitious agenda for improving the human condition by 2015.

These goals are targeted at the developing countries such as Nigeria, to improve their socio-political and economic conditions to an agreed standard by the United Nations.

To achieve the socio-political and economic development, the United Nations-Millennium Development Goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development Abamba (2005).

According to Abamba, it is also believed that the high poverty of developing countries will significantly reduce if these goals are achieved as planned and targeted. One of the cardinal objectives or goals emphasized in the MDGs is gender equality which is goal number three and according to the MDGs report of 2004 is to achieve gender equality and empower women.

According to the MDGs report of 2004, the target is to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005 and at all levels by 2015. Writing on gender equality, the UN Millennium Project 2005 report noted that like race and ethnicity, gender is a social construct.

It defines and differentiates the roles, rights, responsibilities, and obligations of women and men. The innate biological differences between females and males form the basis of social norms that define appropriate behaviours for women and men and determine the differential social, economic, and political power between the sexes.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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StudentsandScholarship Team.