Gender Relations and National Security in Nigeria Up To 1999
Ele Samson
Department of History,
Gombe State University, Gombe State, Nigeria.
E-mail: elesamson@gmail.com
Abstract
There is a growing concern over gender relations around the world. The scenario is particularly rife in continental Asia and Africa. Gender inequality has its foundation in male constructed socio-cultural norms/traditions culminating in the evident patriarchal societal order in most societies including Nigeria where male dominance prevailed in all aspects of national life from the economy to politics including decision making at the family level. It was the concern for women’s plight that led to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The United Nations equally made a declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. There was also the Beijing Convention which advocated for 30% women political representation. But, despite its ratification by most nations around the globe including Nigeria, and the establishment of constitutional and legal frameworks providing equal rights to all irrespective of gender categorization, women still suffer from all sorts of socio-economic and political deprivations including violence arising from gender prejudice. This is manifested in the low access to education, health facilities, landed assets, credit facilities, important political positions and others. Yet, women have contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria the recognition of which is apparently ignored. It is against this backdrop that the paper examines the nature of gender relations in Nigeria up to 1999 and its implication for national security which included poverty, malnutrition, adverse effect on maternal health, prostitution, the spread of HIV/AID virus amongst women and so on. The paper recommends women educational and economic empowerment coupled with greater access to key political offices as the way forward in engendering national security in Nigeria.