GENDER EQUALITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NIGERIAN LAWS AND PRACTICES TO GUARANTEE THE WOMAN’S HUMAN RIGHT

Oluwakemi Odeyinde

INTRODUCTION

In light of the prevalence of discriminatory practices and violence against women, gender equality has been internationally recognized as one of the sustainable development goals to be achieved by state parties before the year 2030. However, achieving equality between men and women has been the greatest human right issue in Nigeria. The main aim of this article is to show that women are important in promoting sustainable development. However there are provisions of the Nigerian law which discriminate against a woman. This article argues that sections 221, 353, 357 and 360 of the Criminal Code and sections 55, 282(2) of the Penal Code discriminate against a girl or woman. In addition, although Nigeria is a party to a number of international treaties such as CEDAW, gender discrimination remains a major threat to sustainable development. The limited number of women appointed in the senate shows the extent of marginalization of women in Nigeria. For example, the United Nations rating of Nigeria in human development is low due to the fact that the percentage of seats held by women in parliament is so minimal compared to the men. Therefore the findings of this article are to assist policymakers in enforcing sustainable practices that promote gender equality by among other things, amending the relevant provisions of the criminal code and the penal code which discriminates against a female in Nigeria. Finally, to reconsider bringing back the gender equality bill that was rejected for second reading in 2015 at the floor of the senate.

Keywords: Gender equality, discrimination, sustainable development, human rights

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v12i2.10

Oluwakemi Odeyinde, LLM (UNILAG) BL (UI) is a Law Lecturer II, Centre for Foundation Education, Bells University of Technology Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-MAIL: kemiodeyinde@gmail.com: 08178312706, 08056682060

TOWARDS INNOVATIVE TEACHING PEDAGOGIES IN GENDER RESEARCH: A REVIEW OF A GENDER RESEARCH METHODS CLASS

Oludayo Olorunfemi

INTRODUCTION

This commentary examines the teaching of research methods in Women and Gender Studies in the Gender Studies Unit of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. It interrogates how the course has increased the awareness of students in the methods of conducting research and how the research they conduct has implications on marginalized populations. The course also highlights the need for a growing body of knowledge that engages the experience of black women in Africa and the African diaspora. The course draws the attention of students to the agency of women through the reading and teaching of various research methods in Gender Studies. An ethnographic approach is adopted using participant observation in the course covering a period of one semester. Also, a critical perspective is applied in discussing the particular epistemological standpoint deployed by the course instructor. In other words, the black feminist epistemology serves as an important strategy for increasing global-minded consciousness of how a course in gender research methods engages the agency of black women using Hip Hop pedagogy.

Keywords: Gender Research Methods, Black Feminist Epistemology, Global-Minded, Black Consciousness, African Feminism.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v11i2.11

Gender Studies Unit, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Email: oludeester@gmail.com Phone No: 08061397690.