Inclusion of gender sensitivity into Nigeria primary education system: Implications for national development

• Jurisdiction: South Africa
• Citation: (2018) 5(2) Journal of Comparative Law in Africa 98
• Pages: 98-116
• Published date: 16 August 2019
• Date: 16 August 2019

98

INCLUSION OF GENDER SENSITIVITY

INTO NIGERIA PRIMARY EDUCATION

SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

Ngozi Chuma Umeh and Onuora-Oguno AC

Abstract

Evidence from previous studies suggests that gender imbalance and inequality is

as old as creation, and that the struggle against the subjugation of women has

been a historical event. The term ‘gender imbalance’ implies that there are existing

differences in the treatment of men and women by the society. Gender imbalance

exists not only in Nigeria but also in other parts of the world, and in almost

all areas of human endeavour. It is a problem that has been acknowledged by

the United Nations, African Union and the Nigerian Constitution as a serious

challenge to equality and development. Ultimately, appropriate gender-sensitive

education that dismantles gender imbalance and inequality is considered pertinent.

Most importantly, gender sensitisation will enhance the empowerment of women as

an entry point to achieving gender equality and balancing power relations between

men and women for the optimum benefit of the nation. This paper is an attempt

to suggest a long-term solution to the problem of gender imbalance in the Nigerian

society. In the long run, it is believed that, one of the major ways to overcome the

situation of gender imbalance and inequality is through universal access to basic

primary education.

Keywords: educational system, gender sensitivity, gender and sexuality,

primary education, national development

Résumé

Les résultats des études antérieures suggèrent que le déséquilibre et l’inégalité entre

les sexes sont aussi anciennes que la création, et que la lutte contre la subjugation

des femmes est un évènement historique. Le terme ‘déséquilibre des sexes’ implique

qu’il existe des différences dans le traitement des hommes et des femmes par la

société. Le déséquilibre des sexes existe non seulement au Nigeria mais aussi dans

d’autres parties du monde, et dans quasiment tous les domaines d’activité humaine.

C’est un problème qui a été reconnu par les Nations unies, l’Union africaine et la

Constitution du Nigeria comme un défi majeur à l’égalité et au développement. A

la fin, un enseignement approprié sensible à la dimension du genre qui démantèle

le déséquilibre entre les sexes est considéré pertinent. Plus important encore, la

sensibilisation autour du genre va améliorer l’autonomisation des femmes comme

un point de départ pour réaliser l’égalité entre les sexes et équilibrer les relations

de pouvoir entre les hommes et les femmes pour le bénéfice optimal de la nation.

* PhD candidate at the Research Institute of Environmental Law, School of Law, Wuhan

University, Wuhan, China. Email: charlottekabaseke@gmail.com.

(2018) 5(2) Journal of Comparative Law in Africa 98

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CLUSION OF GENDER SENSITIVITY INTO NIGERIA PRIMARY EDUCATION

SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 99

Cet article tente de suggère une solution à long terme au problème du déséquilibre

dans la société nigérienne. Sur le long terme, nous croyons que l’une des manières

majeures de surmonter la situation du déséquilibre et de l’inégalité entre les sexes

est par le biais de l’accès universel à l’éducation primaire de base.

Mots clés: Système éducatif, sensibilité au genre, genre et sexualité,

éducation primaire, développement national

Introduction

Gender is a broad concept that can be logically defined as the different

roles played by men and women in relation to power expectations,

contributions and limitations. Data from Nigeria’s Demographic and

Education Survey (NDES) 2003, Sentinel Survey (2007) and the National

Population Commission (NPC) indicate that more than 71 per cent of

women and 43 per cent of men have never attended school. The National

Bureau of Statistics highlights of statistical report on women and men in

Nigeria (2001–2006) also show that 56.8 per cent of females and 74.66

per cent of males are illiterate. The national average for illiteracy within

the same period was 65.7 per cent. The statistics for women employees

indicate that men are more represented in employment in administrative

and ministerial positions. The statistics for women employees indicate

that men are better employed in administrative and ministerial positions

(68.72 per cent) than women (31.28 per cent). Evidence from previous

studies further suggests that gender imbalance and inequality are as old as

creation and that the struggle against the subjugation of women has been

an historical event.1 A summary of the foregoing statistics conveys that the

number of literate males is higher than that of females. The statistics also

show disparities in the employment index. Indeed, this gives credence to

the idea of gender inequality or imbalance.

The term ‘gender imbalance’ implies that there are existing differences

between men and women, which differences are created by the society.

Gender imbalance exists not only in Nigeria but in other parts of the world,

and in almost all areas of human endeavour. It is a problem that has been

acknowledged internationally and domestically by the United Nations,

the African Union and the Nigerian Constitution as a serious challenge

to equality and development. For instance, the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights2 (UDHR) recognises that all humans are born free

and equal in dignity and affirms these rights as the foundation of justice,

1 Kanno, T ‘Gender stereotypes curriculum and leadership implications’ 1 Journal of Gender

Studies (2003); Obasi, VA ‘Gender: Education, inequality and women empowerment’ 1 Journal of

Women Academics (2006) 11.

2 Adopted by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989 and

entered into force on 2 September 1990 in accordance with art 49; see also arts 23 and 28. Signed

and ratified by Nigeria on 19 April 1991.

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