The Role of the National Assembly in Gender Mainstreaming for National Development

Abstract

The number of women representation in the governance of Nigeria has been very low and tends to even become worse. Comparatively, low female representation at Nigeria’s National Assembly presents one of the worst-case scenarios across the globe. It is given this worrisome situation that this study examined the role of the National Assembly in Gender mainstreaming for National development. The study therefore examined the role of the National Assembly in gender mainstreaming for national development; to assess how well has the National Assembly improved gender mainstreaming; to identify the challenges hampering the National Assembly from playing its role in gender mainstreaming in Nigeria; and proffer measures to enable the National Assembly plays vital and significant roles in gender mainstreaming for national development.

This study adopted the mixed research design that involves a combination of desk review and the administration of structured questionnaires to achieve all its research objectives. This method allowed for the effective control of factors that may interfere with the validity of the findings of the study. Survey and exploratory research designs were adopted. Exploratory research design addressed the study research objectives from already existing documentaries such as journal articles, textbooks, newspapers, magazines, and archives, among others. Questionnaires were used in collecting information relating to individuals' experiences or perceptions on gender mainstreaming, that is, the views of Nigerians on the role of the National Assembly in gender mainstreaming with a focus on the 8th and 9th sessions.

For objective one of the study, it was found that while 237 (representing 90.1%) of the respondents stated that they are aware that plays an important role in gender mainstreaming, 3 (1.1%) indicated that they are not aware. The remaining 23 respondents were undecided in their answers (8.8%). On whether there is any significant role for the National Assembly in gender mainstreaming in Nigeria. Whereas, 252 represents 95.9% answered in the affirmative, 3 respondents (1.1%) were undecided and 8 (3.0%). For the second objective, it was discovered that the National Assembly has not effectively performed its functions in ensuring gender mainstreaming in Nigeria as 252 of the respondents representing 95.9% stated that the National Assembly has not given gender mainstreaming the attention it deserves. While 3.0% answered in the affirmative while 1.1% were undecided. For the third objective, the study found that 82.9% of the respondents agreed that poor implementation of laws is a major factor inhibiting the National Assembly’s role in gender mainstreaming in Nigeria while 8.4% disagreed.

Based on empirical findings, the study recommended for objective one that the National Assembly should be proactive in creating long-term plans and intentional in making laws that adequately provide for gender mainstreaming by providing for quota systems that reserve at least 40% of both elective and appointive positions for women. For objective two, it was recommended that the two chambers of the National Assembly constitute a committee of women's affairs and ensure that women are properly represented in the composition of the standing and special committees of both chambers. The National Assembly should ensure that no section of the country’s population (which the women are part of) is marginalized or alienated in the scheme of things. Thus, in making laws they should ensure gender equity. For the third objective, it was recommended that the National Assembly should ensure the proper implementation of laws made by the two chambers by carrying out effective oversight of the MDAs responsible for such implementations.