The Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF) has issued a strong appeal for reform to include more women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in leadership positions in Nigeria. In a new report, supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and launched on Monday, DNF underscores the detrimental impact of gender discrimination, resource limitations, and societal barriers on Nigeria’s growth and prosperity.
Dorothy Njemanze, the foundation’s Executive Director, shared insights on Tuesday, highlighting the national cost of neglecting these groups. “By recognizing the issues faced by women and PWDs, we also acknowledge the missed opportunities for national progress,” Njemanze emphasized. “Nigeria suffers from the gaps that arise from conditions that limit the involvement and contribution of women and PWDs.”
The report reveals the severe lack of representation for women and PWDs in critical sectors, linking this to social and economic disparities. Poverty rates are alarming, with the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index showing that over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty—60 percent of them women. The report attributes these figures partly to barriers women face in accessing economic opportunities.
Nigeria’s political landscape reflects a striking gender gap, with women holding just 6 percent of seats—the lowest in Africa. Ms. Njemanze noted that women aspiring to political roles face significant hurdles, including harassment, coercion, and violence. Additionally, several gender-focused bills addressing these issues remain stalled despite the 2011 Freedom of Information Act.
PWDs face even greater challenges due to inadequate legal protections, which severely restrict their political and leadership opportunities.
The report details how Nigeria’s security issues also disproportionately harm women and girls, exposing them to gender-based violence, disrupting their education, and endangering maternal and infant health. Gender biases in security recruitment further limit women’s influence on security policies, leading to systemic challenges in addressing gender-based issues.
In education, Nigeria has 20 million out-of-school children, of whom 60 percent are girls and 7 million have disabilities. Cultural norms, poverty, and lack of infrastructure are cited as barriers to educational access for girls and PWDs.
Healthcare access is another critical area where women face barriers. High maternal mortality rates, limited access to quality healthcare, and cultural practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) reflect ongoing challenges.
Financially, women and PWDs face limited access to assets, credit, and formal employment, curtailing their ability to thrive economically. The report also highlights gender disparities in sports, media, and the creative sectors, where women are often denied equal access to training, funding, and career advancement due to discrimination.
The DNF report recommends the urgent implementation of the National Gender Policy, strict anti-discrimination law enforcement, and the passage of five gender bills currently pending in the National Assembly to promote greater inclusivity and equity across Nigerian society.
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