Region:Asia PacificCurrent UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low IncomeThe World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.Least Developed Country:YesSince 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.Gender Inequality Index:0.575GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.Gender Development Index:0.723GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 RevisionMale:19,976,265 (9.5%)Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
By 2027, the people in Nigeria have access to a more accountable, transparent, gender-responsive, and inclusive governance and justice system for the realization of human rights for all especially the most vulnerable population
During the reporting year, women's rights to gender-responsive and more accountable systems increased. This followed the passage of the Prohibition of Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Bill by the National Assembly - awaiting assent by the president to become law. State legislators in Kwara and Kaduna adopted the draft GEOB and made commitments to pass it into law. Similarly, the GEOB after numerous efforts passed second reading during the 9th National Assembly in May 2023.
Further, following the general elections, 4 women were elected to the Senate out of 109 seats, 17 women were elected to the Federal House of Representatives (HoR) out of 360 seats, and 54 women were elected in the State Houses of Assembly (SHoA) out of 991 seats. The Senate witnessed a decline compared to 8 seats won by women in the 2019 elections, while the HoR and SHoA witnessed a marginal increase from 13 and 44 in the 2019 elections, respectively.
Twenty-five (25) women who received support from UN Women were elected to office following the 2023 elections, out of the total of 80 women elected into office. These women benefited from coaching and mentoring sessions on how to run effective political campaigns. Their campaign messages and stories were further amplified by the media, increasing their visibility, and the project further provided a platform for them to engage with community leaders from their constituencies through town hall meetings.
By 2027 all people living in Nigeria, especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, have improved access to job opportunities driven by digitization, skills development, and entrepreneurship to harness the demographic dividend
The CO, facing resource constraints, actively collaborated in 2023 with stakeholders to impact this indicator. Engagements with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning aimed to institutionalize gender-responsive planning and budgeting, with concurrent efforts to monitor gender equality expenditure. Collaborations with the National Bureau of Statistics expanded gender data collection and integrated gender responsiveness into the four-year data strategy. The partnership with UNDP focused on the Multidimensional Poverty Index, emphasizing gender as a pillar.
In May 2023, the Nigerian government, with UN Women support, launched the National Policy on Women's Economic Empowerment, incorporating affirmative procurement. This milestone underpins ongoing advocacy for similar frameworks across states, with UN Women contributing through comprehensive research, gender-responsive public procurement reviews, and assessments of procurement laws in Federal, Lagos, and Kaduna States. The Gender-Responsive Strategy Costed Action Plan aims to mainstream gender into procurement laws. Additionally, UN Women conducted audits, assessments, and advocacy messages in Lagos and Kaduna States.
The CO built up evidence to support the government in developing gender-responsive policies in the maritime and mining sectors, identifying gaps for integration. Despite the lack of an institutionalized system for tracking funding, budget data indicates reduced allocations to the Ministry of Women Affairs in 2024. However, there's an increase in allocations across ministries for women's economic empowerment, signaling a shift in budgetary priorities. The CO's 2023 budget analysis reveals a 69% allocation to SDGs 5.1 and 5.a, contrasting with 1% for SDGs 5.5, 5.6, and 5.b, highlighting an imbalance in addressing diverse gender equality aspects. Consistently observed at the national, state, and donor agency levels, the disproportionate allocation raises questions about the budgetary framework's effectiveness and inclusivity. Notably, the absence of a gender-responsive budgeting component in the 2023 budget call circular signals a departure from previous years.
By 2027, Nigeria benefits from improved food security and nutrition, sustainable food systems, and natural resources management
In 2023, the CO faced limitations in implementing interventions for a particular indicator due to constrained resources. Despite this challenge, the CO actively engaged with various donors to mobilize funds for the agriculture sector. Notably, a comprehensive climate-smart agriculture program was developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank, which is currently being considered as a potential donor.
Recognizing the government's role as a regulator, the CO worked at both national and sub-national levels to advocate for affirmative procurement reforms. At the national level, technical support was provided to develop Nigeria's inaugural Women Economic Empowerment Policy. This policy, including affirmative procurement as a key driver of economic empowerment, received approval from the president. A high-level advisory council, with UN Women as the secretariat, was established. Additionally, at the subnational level, the Kaduna State Government drafted an affirmative procurement policy with a specific quota for women-owned businesses. In Lagos State, gender-responsive procurement clauses were included in procurement regulations and guidelines. However, approval of these documents is pending with the respective state governors, with delays attributed to the general elections and changes in government in 2023.
Furthermore, the CO conducted gender-responsive assessments of the mining and maritime sectors in Nigeria, aiming to identify specific gender lens policies for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in these sectors.
Additionally, the CO developed project documents focusing on specific agriculture value chains showing significant potential for advancing gender equality and empowering women in agriculture. These initiatives are strategically designed to maximize their positive impact.
Lastly, in response to the removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria and the growing demand for alternative energy sources, the CO initiated a successful pilot program on biogas. There is now interest from potential donors willing to support the scaling up of this initiative in 2024.
By 2027, all people living in Nigeria have improved social protection coverage that is inclusive, gender-responsive, and shock-responsive, including social assistance, social insurance, and labour market interventions
During the reporting year, women's access to gender-responsive social protection was enhanced as a result of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative and the Traditional and Cultural Leaders for Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Policy, and Social Norm Change in Nigeria and West Africa (LEAP). The Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa established a workplan to engage on issues of GBV and address discrimination against women and girls. The institution further made commitments to address GBV endorsed by the leadership. The Nigeria Spouses Forum has further made strong commitments around establishment and funding of services to respond to gender-based violence. Their actions on GBV are institutionalised and demonstrated by self-initiated advocacy actions on GBV.
Gender equality and human rights of women, youth, and other marginalized groups including PLWD in Nigeria are enhanced
During the reporting year, women's rights and gender equality were advanced in specific states. Costed action model plans for implementation of VAPP laws were developed in Adamawa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Sokoto, and Lagos states. The action plans were signed and gazetted for implementation by the governments of Cross River and Adamawa states. Engagements are ongoing to sign and gazette them in Lagos, Ebonyi and Sokoto states. Further, women's rights to gender-responsive and more accountable systems increased. This followed the passage of the Prohibition of Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Bill by the National Assembly - awaiting assent by the president to become law. State legislators in Kwara and Kaduna adopted the draft GEOB and made commitments to pass it into law. Similarly, the GEOB after numerous efforts, passed second reading during the 9th National Assembly in May 2023.
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