68 8 Empowerment of Nigerian Women Towards National Development

This paper is on the empowerment of Nigerian women towards national development, it gives a panoramic overview of the dehumanizing and traumatizing conditions of women. Then it goes further to consider the political awareness, participation and contributions of women in the realms of politics, business and economy, education and the professions. The challenges of women contributions to the development of the Nigerian nation are highlighted. In order to ameliorate these challenges recommendations are made which among others include the proper education of women and the elimination of cultural and religious hindrances as well as fully granting women their constitutional rights to gainful employment and effective participation in the affairs of the nation. Women are the fundamental human reservoir of every society. In the traditional societies of Africa and Asia, women represent the most essential ingredient in the formation of that all important bio-social group known as the family. Women in most societies, whether developed or developing, are regarded as currency with which political and economic alliances are cemented. Thus in social anthropology, the transfer of women between lineages and clans is regarded as a medium of communication more potent and clearest than language itself (Coleman, 2007). As agents of procreation and child rearing women are the recognized agency for the extension and continuation of the human specie through the generations. The industrial revolution in England and other parts of the Western World in the 18 century drastically altered the primary role of women in the society. Women thenceforth could be seen playing roles hitherto regarded as the exclusive reserves of men in the economic, political and social lives of the society. In the African setting, Journal of Resourcefulness and Distinction, Volume 2 No. 1, July, 2012 69 women have played the role of bread winners and decision-makers in many families in the event of the demise of the father of the house or inadequate male presence. This absence which could be brought about by death, sickness, old age or other forms of physical and mental incapacitation have thrust women in the centre stage for the performance of functions far removed from their traditional responsibility of house keeping. Fasugba (2000) argued that many women today are engaged in activities and jobs hitherto regarded as the exclusive reserve of men. He further states that since women have become conscious of their rights, they have continued to slug it out with men in all areas of human endeavours. In Nigeria today, the women folk have come a long way. In business, politics, education, sports and the professions. Women have made an indelible mark in their effort to conquer the limitations of the past which have sought to place them permanently in the kitchen and bedroom. Be the above as it may, it is not all through a bed of roses for women and their empowerment. The above illustration is just about the infinitesimal few number of women who have been able to excel in their endeavours through their own dinct of hard work. The majority of women in Africa, Asia, and even Europe and America have not been fully mobilized and empowered to contribute to national development. If it had been so, we would not have been talking about good health for women, educational, economic, social, cultural and political empowerment of women. And in all its ramifications, women would not have been segregated and discriminated against so much so that they are sexually tortured and harassed in their seeking for employment, contracts, political positions and in other endeavours. In as much as this paper will present a review on the dehumanizing and traumatizing conditions of women, it will go further to take a detailed and critical look at the major indices of women participation in national development, vis-à-vis political, economic and educational considerations. How far has the Nigerian woman achieved self actualization in the above areas? What are the major handicaps and challenges of women, and what more could be done to secure a better leverage for Nigerian women if they are to participate effectively, fully and more meaningfully in the development of the Nigerian nation in this 21 century? Women: Nature and Conditions: An Overview Women, described as the feminine gender are created by God for procreation and continuity. Unfortunately, they have been dehumanized and traumatized in so many ways. Of the 1.3 billion people who live in abject poverty around the globe, 70 percent are women. For these women, poverty doesn’t just mean scarcity and want. It means rights denied, opportunities curtailed and voices silenced. According to Unagha (2006) poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not being able to go to school and know how to read and write. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living for just one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is power C. P. C Onwubiko