This article is focused on the following UN Sustainable Development Goal:
Gender inequality is when one sex or gender is frequently given more priority or advantage than the other due to discrimination based on sex or gender. Gender-based discrimination infringes on the fundamental human right to gender equality. Girls are disproportionately affected by gender inequality, and currently limits people's potential globally. WHO (World Health Organisation) states that sex and gender are becoming more widely acknowledged as significant factors in both women's and men's health. In addition to biological variations, gender roles, conventions, and behavior have an impact on how men, women, girls, and boys receive health care and how health systems respond to their various needs. Recognizing the unique and frequently unequal capacities of men, women, children, and young adults to safeguard and advance their health is important. The World Health Organisation also realises that the risks in health for women and girls globally are large and having a better education available on the different social roles for both women and men leads to a better knowledge of how risks, mental well being behavior, and clinical outcomes of men and women in various age and social groups are influenced by the sociocultural of identity and unequal power relations between men and women.
“Gender inequality remains a critical challenge in the health sector and UHC can only truly be achieved if gender and other drivers of inequalities within the health systems are actively considered and addressed” World Health Organization.
Women still face prejudice and injustice, despite the fact that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equality for women and encourages non - discrimination to occur. This is frequently contrasted as a result of oppressive laws, cultural and religious traditions, gender stereotypes, inadequate educational attainment, and the disproportionate impact of impoverishment on women, due to the way Nigerian society functions. Given the challenges, some women have persevered to achieve important leadership positions in Nigeria, frequently to great acclaim and to the advantage of society as a whole. However, the power balance must be equitable in order to maximise the advancement of women in all areas where they have consistently been marginalised and subject to prejudice. In Nigeria, women make up roughly 50% of the population. Therefore, it is absurd to forbid the majority of the population of Nigeria from contributing to the wealth and well-being of the country for repressive and antiquated reasons. We must start offering various multi-sectoral and integrated solutions to address the discrimination against women in our nation. These include establishing, reinforcing, and putting into effect laws that will support gender parity in all spheres of the nation’s life. “Nigeria ranks a lowly 139 out of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index and civil society groups have raised concerns that the country may be regressing in female representation in leadership” World Bank.
People of all genders should have equal chances, rights, and responsibilities. Gender inequality has an impact on everyone: including men, women, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, kids, and families. People of various ages and ethnicities are affected which is why gender equality desperately needs to be pursued. Violence against women and girls can be reduced by gender equality. Women and men should be respected and valued equally in societies, which will result in a more secure and healthier civilisation. Ultimately, each and every single person’s human rights include gender equality. Gender equality benefits everyone and it is necessary for the well-being of economies.
Remember, change starts with you.
“Nigeria Risks Falling Further behind on Women's Equality.” Human Rights Watch, 8 Mar. 2022, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/08/nigeria-risks-falling-further-behind-womens-equality.
“Stakeholders Move to Tackle Gender Inequality in Nigeria's Health Sector .” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, https://www.afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/news/stakeholders-move-tackle-gender-inequality-nigerias-health-sector.
“Gender Discrimination Causes Inequality between Girls and Boys around the World.” Save the Children, https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/how-gender-discrimination-impacts-boys-and-girls.
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