Status Of Women In Nigeria In Contemporary Times: Challenges And Prospects

Abstract

Women are the central processing unit of every community, the central nervous system that controls and coordinates the social system. In Nigeria the issue of women marginalization, neglect, subservience, etc has been moving with the speed of an eagle against the wind after colonialism. Though male and female do have biological and structural differences peculiar to each; mental processes of both sexes are the same. One can be more active depending on the level of activation factored by both physical and social environments at each period. In Nigeria, the socialization processes that are unequally available for both sexes from birth through secondary socialization and the later processes of the social system especially after the coming of the British and his structures is not conducive to the female child. This paper argues that the colonial system such as patriarchy, lack of empowerment for females, family (nuclear family) etc are the chief causes of sexual inequality and subordination that still exists and has refused to abate to include women in the decision making sector. This paper therefore discusses the factors inherent in the colonial system that sustain the status quo. It used both historical and theoretical perspectives and guided by feminist theories. The paper suggests therefore that if colonial mentality of subduing women and retaining power through regulations, rules and socialization processes is strongly opposed through regulations in Nigeria and enforced with zero tolerance to male preference, it will encourage dispensing authority on merit. Then women who meet the desired requirements for each system will have equal chances with their male counterparts in contributing to the growth and development of every aspect of the social system.