Nigeria ranks 130 out of 166 in global gender gap index —UN

By Abubakar Yunusa

The United Nations (UN), on Tuesday, said Nigeria ranks 130th out of 166 countries in its latest Global Gender Gap Index.

The UN also said that as the world accelerates towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline, Nigeria confronts significant hurdles, particularly in addressing gender inequality and empowering women and girls.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, disclosed this in Abuja, at the stakeholders dialogue with the theme: ‘Closing the Gender Gap: Financing Solutions for SDG 5’.

He said Nigeria is off-track on nearly 60% of SDG indicators, with gender disparities posing a substantial barrier to progress, adding that, “Women and girls face disproportionate poverty, limited education and healthcare access, and significant economic and decision-making barriers.”

He emphasized that gender equality is critical for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Fall said: “Women and girls continue to experience disproportionate levels of poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and significant barriers to economic participation and decision-making.

“The status of women and girls in Nigeria highlights these challenges. Over 70% of women in rural areas lack access to basic education and healthcare. Nigeria ranks 130th out of 166 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, indicating severe disparities in economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment.

“Gender-based violence remains pervasive, affecting nearly one in three women. Women also represent less than 5% of Nigeria’s national parliament, reflecting significant underrepresentation in decision-making processes.”

In her address, the UN Women’s Country Representative, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, called on the government, private sector, and civil society to collaborate in addressing the disparities.

He said: “As we gather here today, we are reminded of the critical importance of SDG 5 in our collective efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive society. Gender equality is not just a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

“The journey toward achieving SDG 5 has made significant strides, yet we acknowledge that substantial work remains, particularly in the area of financing. Ensuring adequate and targeted financial resources is crucial to closing the gender gaps that persist across various sectors in Nigeria.

“We also believe that Gender Responsive Budgeting provides a well-established policy approach to support the increased alignment of public resources with gender equality objectives, in view of this, UN Women Nigeria is partnering with ministry of budget and economic planning to institutionalize gender responsive budgeting and build capacities of budget desk officers on implementing Gender Responsive Budgets.”

In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on, SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, revealed that as of 2021, the total investment required for the National Development Plan (2021-2025) was estimated at N348.1 trillion.

Meanwhile, The public sector is expected to commit N49.7 trillion, while the organized private sector should finance the remaining N298.3 trillion. She emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in financing sustainable development.

She said: “Nigeria’s strategic approach to the implementation of the SDGs can be seen at two different levels – National and Sub-national. At the National level, we work closely with the Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate the SDGs into their sectoral policies and plans.

“At the Sub-national level, we are working closely with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mainstream the SDGs into their medium and long-term development policies and plans. This is our approach to Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) for the SDGs.”