•Report by Halimah Olamide
An abuja-based think tank organization, Agora policy has listed solutions to broadening gender, social and political inclusion in Nigeria.
According to a report published by the organization, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) addresses unequal power relations experienced by people due to gender, wealth, ability, location, caste/ethnicity, language, agency, or a combination of these dimensions.
It stated that one of the struggles Nigeria is faced with even after over sixty years of independence, is building an inclusive society and the low rate of inclusion is glaring in the unequal power relations which has therefore left limited spaces for marginalized groups to participate in the social, political and economic life of the nation.
“More than 60 years after independence, Nigeria still struggles with building an inclusive society. Cries of political marginalisation, which predated independence, have yet to abate.
“The socio- economic disparity in gender relations remains wide. The low
level of inclusion is evident in the unequal power relations and exclusionary processes which have left limited spaces for marginalized groups to participate in the social, political and economic life of the nation.”
The report also stated, that the low level of inclusion incapacitates not just the excluded groups but the country itself.
“Nigeria thus undermines itself by limiting the potentials of significant segments of its population: women, youths, people living with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities etc.
“Deepening inclusion in Nigeria is therefore not a favor to the excluded groups but a sensible route to the overall national development.”
“Continuing to leave substantial segments
of the population behind amounts to Nigeria shooting itself in the foot or punching grossly below its weight. It is thus in Nigeria’s enlightened self- interest to be a more inclusive society.” It said.
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However, on improving Gender Equality and Socio- Political Inclusion, agora policy suggested that; “a transformation of the legislative arm to a gender-responsive/transformative institution one which creates laws that address the root causes of inequality (e.g. patriarchy and discriminatory traditions) and seeks to change existing social and cultural constructs of inequality.
Meanwhile, the report further suggested that to deepen youth inclusion, then recognizing that youth development spans various thematic areas, a government/system-wide approach that deploys joint activities performed by various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) targeting various thematic areas simultaneously and at all tiers of government is recommended.
On the same note, to deepen Person With Disabilities (PWDs) in Politics, it recommend a system-wide approach that involves collaboration between all organs of government, the private sector and civil society to tackle the myriad of issues that result in PWDs’ exclusion.
The Agora Policy report broadly highlighted the need for action to rebalance power relations, reduce disparities, and ensure equal rights, opportunities, and respect for all individuals regardless of their social identity.