Nigeria

Because the almost 70 million women of the Federal Republic of Nigeria make up 49 percent of the population, African feminist and women's movements are extremely important in this western region of Africa. Nigerian women contribute considerably to improving gender equality both at the international and the national levels. Their activism and activities have focused on different aspects of their lives, such as health, education, work, family, marriage, rights and laws, and so on. In fact, the national gender machinery has been put into place to gradually and eventually provoke significant economic, political, and cultural changes in the country.

According to the 2006 census, Nigeria's population has reached 140 million, making it the most populous of any African country. Most estimates have shown that more than 40 percent of Nigeria's population is younger than 15 years. Life expectancy is 46.6 years. Nigeria is a multiethnic country with over 250 ethnic groups, 10 of which account for 80 percent of the total population: the Hausa and Fulani (both located in the north), Yoruba (mainly in the southwest), and Ibo (in the east). Most Nigerians speak languages that belong to these groups, although English is the official language. Religious affiliations are divided as follows: Muslims, 50 percent; Christians, 40 percent; and indigenous religions, 10 percent.

After Nigeria gained independence from British rule in 1960, the country went through turbulent political periods and frequent forceful governmental change by several military dictatorships. Indeed, a movement against intellectuals by military rulers persists, particularly against intellectual women. The transition to democracy became effective in May 1999, and at this time, the country is divided into 36 states.

The Constitution of Nigeria acknowledges gender equality. Women political representation and female participation in decision-making processes remain very low compared with other African countries, such as Rwanda or Mozambique, with hardly 6.1 percent of representatives in parliament being women and 3.7 percent of the senate. In spite of this, there are very important political and civil organizations fighting for the advancement of women's rights.

Two Nigerian women in an outdoor food preparation area, pounding grain with a large mortar and pestle.

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development, currently named the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was created in 1999. This ministry is responsible for the design of equal gender policies, gendered planning and implementation, and the provision of specialized services for Nigerian women and children, as well as coordinating and supervising those policies in other ministries (education, health, and so on). Nevertheless, the national gender machinery and its new political order offer some negative aspects, such as the First Lady Syndrome, or Femocracy, which refers to women who end up being prone to bureaucratic corruption. In fact, Nigerian women are conscious that to have women in high offices and with access to decision making does not guarantee gender equality, as some women may use their power, and manage their political relationships in government, toward other goals. Many femocrats have not only accumulated [Page 1013]enormous wealth through illegal means but also have wielded tremendous political influence.

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