The Nigerian State and Affirmative Action on Women Empowerment: The Igbo Experience, 1999 – 2015

Abstract

Since 1999, efforts have been made by the Nigeria’s administrations to broaden the participation of women in politics. Findings indicate that this ‘Affirmative Action’ on women was propped from without – mostly by the United Nations MDGs. That notwithstanding, the result of the government’s Affirmative Action has been mired in contentions and arguments. Quantitatively, more women have been appointed ministers, commissioners and a host of other appointive positions. More women have also jostled for elective positions in government. However, the qualitative implications of Affirmative Action on women empowerment especially, as it affects the country’s rural women appears to leave much to be desired. Using rural Igbo women as a case in point, this study appraises Nigeria’s efforts at engendering gender equality from 1999 – 2015. With the Igbo experience, the study argues that government policies on gender equality ends up being beneficial to a few educated urban – dwelling women to the neglect of the vast majority of poor, uneducated rural women. The study canvasses a refocusing of attention – away from the state; as indeed, the state may not wield the magical wand needed to demolish gender inequality. A synergy of civil society organizations, faith – based institutions, progressive traditional institutions as well as the government is herein advocated as a remedy.  The study adopts the thematic and analytic methods of Historical Research with data for the study drawn from primary sources as well as extant secondary sources in journals, newspapers, magazines and textbooks