MAINSTREAMING GENDER-EQUALITY AND COMBATING GENDERBASED VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The issue of gender inequality and gender-based violence is a pressing issue in Nigeria with persistent barrier to the attainment of national development. Women and girls often face discrimination in various aspects of life, such as social, economic and political sphere. Gender-based violence occurrences have become worrisome and alarming with far reaching consequences on the victim’s physical, mental, sexual and emotional wellbeing. This paper therefore examines the pressing issue of mainstreaming gender-equality and combating the menace of gender-based violence for the attainment of national development in Nigeria. The paper adopts the feminist theory as its framework of analysis. The method of data collection is documentary and method of data analysis is descriptive. The findings of the study revealed that despite the efforts that have been put in place to promote gender equality and to combat gender-based violence, such efforts are hindered by a number of factors, such as patriarchy, cultural and traditional factors, low reporting of gender[1]based violence, inadequate social support, socio-economic factors, political factors, and discriminatory legal provisions. This paper recommends women empowerment, domestication and implementation on conventions, gender-equality, girl-child education, aggressive public awareness and advocacy interventions and implementation of policies with strict consequences for offenders.