ROLE OF WOMEN IN TACKLING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

ROLE OF WOMEN IN TACKLING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

Background to the Study

The changing impact of corruption in Nigeria is felt by every man in the country. The most fragile social layer is poor households and small firms. Corruption in this sector of economy reduces any chances to increase human investment and capital. Cases of corruption in Nigeria are widely associated with poor public finance management. The increasing number of barriers from public provisions decreases the ability to do business. Foreign direct investment sector has significantly decreased in the last decade. Foreign investments can provide real growth of GDP and jobs in Nigeria. Still, investors do not like the idea of spending even one cent in vain(Transparency International, 2016). Corruption in Nigeria is associated with low standards of living. We should be reminded that Nigeria is the richest oil country in West Africa. Still, for more than half a century of its independence  Nigeria has not become an oil miracle. Most of the resources of the country are located in the hands of several hundred families. They live in luxury. Other Nigerians live in poverty. About 80% of Nigerians are poor by the international standards of living. Effect of corruption in Nigeria hits the low layers of the population. People have to survive in the country where rules can be omitted if you have money(Ukase , 2015). There is inadequacy in the distribution resources in Nigeria. This brings about decrease in the standard of living. The middle-class that should form the majority of the population has no significant effect on politics. The gap between the poorest and the wealthiest citizens is extremely wide.

For corruption to be totally eradicated in Nigeria women need to actively involved and make sure they play an active role in the anti-economic and financial crimes sector, they need to be mainstreamed into the process. Mainstreaming women is the process of taking cognizance of the implications for women of any planned action, including legislation, policies and programs in all areas and at all levels. It is a system used to ensure women’s issues and input non-negotiable parts of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs. Like in other areas of social interaction, women could be more active in the mainstream of the anti-economic and financial crimes crusade (AEFCC) in Nigeria(Young , 2016).

World Bank conducted a study about 150 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia and it revealed that “there is a link between higher representation of women in government and lower levels of corruption.” Also, in a study, conducted by Transparency International and using 60,000 households in over 60 countries in the world, it was revealed that “women do not pay bribes unlike the findings of men that proved otherwise(Seppänen, 2018).” But even as it would seem that women are less likely than men to engage in corruption (whether as bribe-takers or -givers), a United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem) it was observed that “women are more vulnerable to the impact of corruption than men particularly in public service.

The fight against corruption needs to become more proactive. Such acts should be prevented. Prevention as they say is better than cure. Modalities should be put in place in the form of advocacy and counselling. This is an area where women can play a vital role. As mothers, guardians and nurturers, women can socialize children and young adults to shun corruption. This can be done by encouraging children to be honest in their dealings with their peers, seniors and juniors, and not be in possession of any property which does not belong to them. These are the leaders of tomorrow, and if they imbibe these ideals early, corruption could be prevented(Rivers, 2018).

Cultural values in mainstreaming are particularly relevant for women in fighting against corruption because many cultural practices in Nigeria favour the exclusion of women.  If one tries to keep close tab on cultural values, many stakeholders would have the opportunity to point out the desired improvements.  For example, in many “cultures” in Nigeria, women do not have any say.  It is an extension of this reasoning that makes many communities exclude women from getting involved in women fighting against corruption processes. Conferences, seminars, symposia and especially the machinery of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) could help disabuse the minds of Nigerians of some of these unprogressive beliefs about women.  Areas to be addressed in these workshops, seminars, symposia and conferences include a gender-neutral language. In the midst of this cacophony of issues relating to our age-long cultural values, the involvement of women in fight against corruption becomes necessary.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

It is a glaring truth that corruption has adverse effect on human capital development and education. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more women to get involved in leadership in order for the country to experience a new bright side of life. Currently, corruption is eating deep into the fabric of the nation, only women, who are not criminally minded, will eradicate corruption and stabilize Nigeria(Rivers, 2018). The problem now is how, where and when to find such credible candidates in the nation. The fight against corruption in the country is a collective by all and not to be left with women alone. The fight should begin from every home, women must out of no the time to inculcate the right values and attitudes into their children, teach them when to fight for their rights and be transparent in all what they are doing at any particular point in time. This study will investigate the role of women in a tackling corruption in Nigeria.

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