INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS TO WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT IN NIGERIAN GOVERNANCE: ASSESSING POLICY FRAMEWORKS AND THE WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY AGENDA, 1999–2023

Abstract

Despite implementing gender policies, two National Action Plans on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and a constitutional promise for equality, women still only make up a tiny percentage of elected office holders and senior diplomats and peace process actors in Nigeria. This article looks at some of the obstacles that have slowed the progress of women in Nigerian governance from 1999 to 2023 and the state of governance policy and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in addressing these obstacles. It is based on narrative experiences of twelve women in diplomatic, legislative, community and civil-society roles. Four main categories of barriers become evident: institutional practices and structure, cultural and patriarchal norms, economic and resource limitations and security threats. Two secondary barriers, the double burden of domestic and professional responsibility as well as credibility discount for women's contributions, are found at all levels. The article demonstrates that these barriers are not stand-alone, and that the narratives of the participants highlight gaps in the policy frameworks, such as the lack of norms and mechanisms to protect women in local offices and mediation, as well as the lack of funding mechanisms for women-led peacebuilding, and the invisibility of the informal mediation labour. It asserts that the issues that Nigeria is grappling with is not the lack of the gender policy, but the implementation, enforcement and resourcing of the policy as well as targeted reforms.