TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF

EDUCATION
P.M.B. 2118, IJAGUN, IJEBU ODE.

NAME: AJIBADE MARY OLUWAYEMISI

MATRIC NO: 20220404110
LEVEL: 200
COURSE CODE: SOS 215
COURSE TITTLE: WOMAN AND GENDER STUDY
DEPARTMENT: SOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES
COLLEGE: COSMAS

QUESTION
1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY PATRIARCY
1B. HOW DOES PATRIARCHY INFLUENCES THE PROBLEM OF GENDER
INEQUALITY IN THE NIGERIA SOCIETY
2. WHAT IS GENDER MAINSTREAMING
WHAT IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
2B. HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE THE 33% AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR
WOMEN IN NIGERIA POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

LECTURER IN CHARGE

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 DR. AJEDE

MEANING OF PATRIARCHY

Patriarchy can be defined as a system of society or government in which the father

or eldest male is head of the family and descent is reckoned through the male line. Also, it
can be defined as a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles
of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. It is also
characterized by the expectation that men hold authority over women and children in the
family structure. This system is deeply embedded in the cultural, legal, and institutional
frameworks of many societies, shaping norms, behaviors, and the distribution of power.

HOW PATRIARCHY INFLUENCE THE PROBLEM GENDER INEQUALITY IN

NIGERIAN SOCIETY

In Nigeria, as in many other parts of the world, patriarchy plays a significant role in
perpetuating gender inequality. The influence of patriarchal norms and values on the Nigerian
society manifests in various dimensions, including the legal system, education, employment,
politics, and family life. These influences exacerbate the problems of gender inequality in
several ways:

1. Legal and Institutional Frameworks

Nigeria's legal and institutional frameworks reflect patriarchal values that discriminate
against women. Although the Nigerian constitution guarantees equality for all citizens, the
implementation of laws often falls short, especially in areas concerning inheritance, marriage,
and property rights. Customary laws in many Nigerian communities further entrench gender
disparities, with practices such as child marriage and widow inheritance that disadvantage
women and girls.

2. Education and Employment

Patriarchal beliefs about gender roles significantly impact educational and employment
opportunities for women and girls in Nigeria. There is a persistent belief in some areas that
educating girls is less valuable than educating boys, which leads to lower enrollment rates for
girls in schools. In the labor market, women often face discrimination, are concentrated in

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lower-paying jobs, and are underrepresented in leadership positions. The expectation that
women should prioritize domestic responsibilities over professional careers further limits
their economic independence and opportunities.

3. Political Participation

Patriarchal norms in Nigeria also restrict women's participation in politics and governance.
Women are underrepresented in political leadership roles and decision-making positions.
This gender disparity in politics not only reflects the societal undervaluation of women's
contributions but also limits the extent to which policies and laws address gender-specific
issues and concerns.

4. Family Life and Social Norms

Within the family and society, patriarchal norms dictate gender roles that reinforce women's
subordinate status. Men are often seen as the head of the household, with the final say in
decision-making, while women are expected to be submissive and primarily responsible for
childcare and domestic chores. These norms limit women's autonomy and decision-making
power both within and outside the home.

5. Violence and Discrimination

Patriarchy contributes to the perpetuation of gender-based violence and discrimination.

Cultural practices and norms that devalue women and girls or see them as property contribute
to an environment where violence against women is tolerated or normalized. Domestic
violence, sexual harassment, and other forms of gender-based violence are pervasive issues in
Nigeria, with inadequate legal protection and social stigma often preventing victims from
seeking help.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING

Gender mainstreaming is a strategic approach aimed at achieving gender equality and

empowering all genders. It involves the integration of the gender perspective into the
planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, regulatory measures, and
programs in all political, economic, and societal spheres, with a view to promoting equality
between women and men. The concept was formally recognized and adopted as a global

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strategy for promoting gender equality during the Fourth World Conference on Women in
Beijing in 1995.

Objectives of Gender Mainstreaming

The primary objectives of gender mainstreaming include:

 Ensuring Consideration of Gender Perspectives: It aims to ensure that gender

perspectives and attention to the goal of gender equality are central to all activities -
policy development, research, advocacy/dialogue, legislation, resource allocation, and
planning, implementation and monitoring of programs and projects.
 Equality in Participation and Decision-Making: Gender mainstreaming seeks to
promote the equal participation of all genders in all areas of public and private life,
ensuring women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full human rights
and for contributing to and benefiting from economic, social, cultural, and political
development.
 Addressing and Transforming Power Imbalances: It aims to address and transform
the power imbalances between men and women by identifying, questioning, and
changing the structures and attitudes that perpetuate gender inequalities.

How It Is Implemented

Implementing gender mainstreaming involves a variety of strategies, including:

 Gender Analysis: Conducting gender analysis to understand the differences in

conditions, needs, participation rates, access to resources and development, control of
assets, decision-making powers, etc., between women and men in any given context.
 Institutional Frameworks: Developing institutional frameworks that support gender
mainstreaming, including establishing gender units or focal points within
organizations, developing gender-sensitive policies and programs, and ensuring that
gender equality is an integral part of the organizational culture.
 Capacity Building: Enhancing the capacity of policymakers, planners, and
implementers to effectively integrate gender considerations into their work through
training and sensitization on gender issues.

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  Participatory Approaches: Involving women and men equally in the policy and
decision-making processes, including in the design, implementation, monitoring, and
evaluation of policies and programs.
 Gender Budgeting: Incorporating a gender perspective at all levels of the budgetary
process, ensuring that gender equality commitments are reflected and resources are
allocated to implement them.
 Monitoring and Evaluation: Developing gender-sensitive indicators and collecting
disaggregated data by sex to monitor progress towards gender equality and adjust
policies and programs as necessary.

MEANING OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Affirmative action refers to policies and measures designed to address historical

injustices and inequalities faced by certain groups within society by providing these groups
with access to opportunities in areas such as education, employment, and politics. The
primary goal of affirmative action is to reduce discrimination, promote diversity, and ensure
equal opportunities for all, particularly for those who have been historically marginalized or
underrepresented, such as racial or ethnic minorities, women, and disadvantaged socio-
economic groups.

ACHIEVING 33% AFFIRMATIVE ACCTION FOR WOMEN IN NIGERIA

POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

Achieving a 33% affirmative action target for women in Nigeria's political and
administrative systems requires a multifaceted approach, addressing both the systemic
barriers that prevent women from participating in these spheres and the cultural attitudes that
underpin gender inequality. This goal aligns with broader efforts to empower women and
ensure their equal representation in decision-making processes, a key component of gender
equality and democratic governance. Here are several strategies that could be employed to
work towards this target:

1. Legislative and Policy Reforms

 Enactment of Quota Laws: The Nigerian government could enact laws that establish
mandatory quotas for women's representation in political and administrative positions.

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 This could include specific quotas for women candidates on electoral lists and
appointments to public office.
 Electoral Reforms: Reforming electoral laws to support and enforce the participation
of women. This can include provisions for women-only shortlists in certain
constituencies or incentives for political parties to field a certain percentage of women
candidates.

2. Political Party Reforms

 Adopt Party Quotas: Encourage or mandate political parties to adopt internal quotas
for women in leadership positions within the party and among candidates nominated
for election.
 Capacity Building for Women: Political parties and NGOs can organize training and
mentorship programs for women, enhancing their skills in leadership, campaigning,
policy formulation, and public speaking.

3. Public Awareness and Societal Attitudes

 Awareness Campaigns: Conduct widespread public awareness campaigns to

challenge gender stereotypes and highlight the importance of women's participation in
politics and governance. These campaigns can utilize media, community dialogues,
and educational programs.
 Engage Men and Boys: Initiatives to engage men and boys as allies in supporting
gender equality and women's rights can help change societal attitudes and encourage a
supportive environment for women's participation in politics.

4. Education and Empowerment

 Educational Programs: Promote education and leadership training for women and
girls, emphasizing civic education, rights awareness, and political participation from
an early age.
 Economic Empowerment: Support women's economic empowerment through
initiatives that improve access to jobs, credit, and entrepreneurial opportunities, as
economic independence is crucial for political participation.

5. Support Networks and Mentorship

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  Create Support Networks: Establish networks and platforms for women in politics
and administration to share experiences, strategies, and support. Mentorship programs
can also play a crucial role in encouraging and guiding aspiring women politicians.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

 Track Progress: Implement mechanisms to regularly monitor and evaluate progress

towards achieving the 33% target. This can involve tracking the number of women in
political and administrative positions, assessing the impact of policies and programs,
and making adjustments as needed.

7. Legal and Institutional Mechanisms to Address Discrimination

 Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Strengthen and enforce legal frameworks that

protect women from discrimination, harassment, and violence, both within the
political arena and in broader society.

CONCLUSION

Achieving 33% affirmative action for women in Nigeria's political and administrative
systems is an ambitious but necessary goal for advancing gender equality and democratic
governance. It requires concerted efforts from the government, political parties, civil society,
and the entire population to create an enabling environment that supports and promotes
women's active participation and representation in decision-making processes. Through
legislative reforms, societal attitude changes, and targeted support and empowerment
initiatives, Nigeria can move closer to this target, ensuring women have an equal voice in
shaping the country's future.

REFERENCE

Afolabi, N. (2018). Women and Political Participation in Nigeria: The Imperative of

Empowerment. Journal of Social Science Studies, 5(1), 123-134.
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Anderson, E. (2010). The Imperative of Integration. Princeton University Press.

https://doi.org/10.23943/princeton/9780691148541.001.0001

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National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) & United Nations Women. (2017). Gender Inequality in
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Okeke-Ihejirika, P., & Franceschet, S. (Eds.). (2018). Comparing Strategies of

(De)Politicization in Africa: Insights from Feminist Movements. Palgrave Macmillan.
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Okojie, C. E. E. (2002). Gender and Education as Determinants of Household Poverty in

Nigeria. Bulletin of the UNESCO National Commission, 10, 30-45.

Sowell, T. (2004). Affirmative Action Around the World: An Empirical Study. Yale
University Press.

United Nations. (1997). Report of the Economic and Social Council for 1997. A/52/3.

World Bank. (2002). Integrating Gender into the World Bank's Work: A Strategy for Action.
The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-5048-5