Gender Responsive Entrepreneurial Economy of Nigeria: Enabling Women in a Disabling Environment

Citation:

Nwoye, May. 2007. “Gender Responsive Entrepreneurial Economy of Nigeria: Enabling Women in a Disabling Environment.” Journal of International Women’s Studies 9 (1): 167-75.

Author: May Nwoye

Abstract:

Growth and development are among the most exciting subjects in economics, and the application of their principles to developing countries especially the African economies, is both needed and timely. In Nigeria, women have historically been disadvantaged in accessing not only material resources like property and credit, but also have been deprived of resources like education, market information and modern technology. All of these factors have negative implications for the type of enterprises that women are engaged in. This paper highlights the various economic constraints faced by women in Nigeria, as a result of limitations imposed on them by nature and culture; It calls for removal of gender-related obstacles in order to facilitate the creation of enterprises by women, as well as improving their general education, and entrepreneurial skills. The paper argues that gender imbalances in access to education and productive resources have important implications, not only for equity, but also for economic output, productivity, food security, fertility, and child welfare. It further recommends gender specific activities and affirmative action, whenever women are in a particularly disadvantageous position. The paper concludes that mainstreaming gender into budget and policy design will provide women access to support services they require to develop the necessary confidence, explore alternative business ideas and entrepreneurial strategies that will stimulate, not only the Nigerian economy, but the people’s way of life.

Keywords: Nigeria, Entrepreneurial Economy, women and economics

Topics: Development, Economies, Education, Gender, Gender Budgeting, Gender Mainstreaming, Security, Food Security Regions: Africa, West Africa Countries: Nigeria

Year: 2007