The other side of civil society story: women, oil and the Niger Delta environmental struggle in Nigeria

Abstract

The study based on the outcome of a 2 year involvement with women organizations in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria avers that in spite of their apparent invisibility in the dominant Niger Delta discourse, women form the first line of social defence against socio-economic privation in the region. The women play active socio-economic roles in the hostile Niger Delta environment in engendering and sustaining group and individual development. In spite of the structural and cultural limitations imposed on women, their associational life seen in the formation of various socio-economic groups has been invaluable to development in the region. Thus apart from providing coping niches for individual women, these women pool together in groups and associations to tackle the every day challenge of living in the region. This fact makes women and their groups critical agencies of intervention and development devolution in the region that should be properly harnessed in addressing the complex Niger Delta situation in Nigeria.

The Socio-Economics of Women Inclusion in Green Construction

“…Even though it has been adjudged that women have potentials that are necessary for national and global impact, Anugwom (2009) and Ezegbe and Akubue (2012) reported that women are still been denied basic rights. In general employment rights, Kumar (2013) reported that there exist direct or indirect discrimination against women workers.…”

“…Hence, the tag of a very stressful industry. Anugwom (2009) observed that this has affected women physically and psychological, seeing themselves as inadequate and unsuitable workers, thereby leading to under-performance in the workplace. In addition, the male only image portrayed by the construction industry needs to be stopped.…”

“…Gurjao (2008) and Aja-Okorie (2013) observed that women remain disadvantaged gender-wise in many areas of life. Anugwom (2009) noted that the gender bias ranges from exclusion from policy making, to labour market discriminations. Proof from the latter reveals the low participation of women in the formal sector (Fapohunda, 2012).…”

Femininity is not inferiority: women-led civil society organizations and “countering violent extremism” in Nigeria

“…For example, Ibeanu (2005) stresses that women in the Niger Delta were central to abating militancy by negotiating new gender relations and reconciling the state with militants. Women mostly function there as peace brokers and custodians of order (Anugwom and Anugwom 2009). Women also exploit their social networks and gender-specific activities to mitigate the danger posed by militant youths (Anugwom 2011).…”

Risk perception and awareness of oil and natural gas safety among local populations in the eastern province of Jubail, Saudi Arabia

“…The importance of trust in monitoring and managing such risks demands that risk managers put forth serious effort into building and maintaining trustworthiness and credibility within the community. Anugwom and Anugwom (2009) suggested that to mitigate the adverse effects of mining activities in the Niger-Delta area of Nigeria, "intervention efforts should target women and their organizations as crucial modes of mediation in both socio-economic spheres and in the elusive peace building efforts in the region" (p. 334). They argue that women's groups play a critical role in the socio-economic development of the local communities and the region at large.…”