International Development and the Question of Gender Mainstreaming in Nigeria

Different approaches have dominated gender studies globally since the

1970s. International development approaches started with women's studies,

feminism, gender, and now including queer studies and men's

studies. The Beijing conference in China brought gender studies to the

forefront of international discussion, positioning gender issues as an important

aspect of the national agenda. Consequently, many countries have

begun to mainstream gender issues in their national agenda. However,

patriarchy is a challenging gender issue in Nigeria.

This paper aims to examine how a patriarchal society like

Nigeria can mainstream gender issues in its national program to reflect

the international development agenda. It analyses the development of

gender equality in politics, economy, education, and family in Nigeria after

the Beijing gender conference. Recognition Theory is used to explain the

position of women in the history of international development, particularly

in a patriarchal society like Nigeria. The paper concludes that poverty,

patriarchy, inequality, violence, and social stigmas hinder gender

mainstreaming. Mainstreaming gender issues in a national development agenda can successfully promote

identity and recognition of women in a patriarchal society like Nigeria