Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw Institute of Philosophy Center for Ecology and Ecophilosophy 22/2 (2024)  This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-ND 4.0 International) license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0 2024, 22, 2: 77-83 p-ISSN 1733-1218; e-ISSN 2719-826X DOI: http://doi.org/10.21697/seb.5808 The Place of Women in Environmental Management and Sustainability in Nigeria Rola kobiet w zarządzaniu środowiskowym oraz w zrównoważonym rozwoju w Nigerii Umezurike J. Ezugwu1, Enyimba Maduka*2, Emmanuel E. Etta2, Samuel Aloysius Ekanem2, Ushie Thomas Egaga2 1 Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria 2 University of Calabar, Nigeria ORCID UJE http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4082-5368; EM http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9043-2680; EEE https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5713-0373; SAE https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4026-0821; UTE https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3599-8779 • enyimbamauka@gmail.com Received: 16 Dec, 2023; Revised: 24 Feb, 2024; Accepted: 29 Feb, 2024 Abstract: In this essay, we contend that the relationship between human society and physical environment is not gender neutral, as men and women are treated inequitably. There exists an inequitable binary structure between the two polar values, as human society often exploits and degrades the environment, and women are undermined in various occasions. The role of women is undermined in environmental management and monitoring. Our strategy in dealing with this issue of negligence would be to expose the misconception that women have little or nothing to contribute in environmental management beside biological reproductive roles, and activities such as cooking, washing, fetching firewood and nursing of children. We will also show the negative impacts of these forcefully assigned female duties on the climate, and how this leads to pollution, which in turn, obstructs the biospheres (plant and animal species). Using the principle of complemen- tarity, the paper insists on the need to eradicate all socio-culturally perceived superlative attributes of distinction between human society and environment or masculinity and femininity. The paper calls for mainstreaming of gender perspective, expansion of women’s opportunities and participation in environmental management, at all levels, for environmental sustainability. Keywords: environmental management, sustainability, pollution, women inclusion, complementarity Streszczenie: Niniejszy artykuł przyjmuje założenie, że związek między społeczeństwem a środowiskiem fizycznym nie jest neutralny pod względem płci, jako że mężczyźni i kobiety są traktowani niejednakowo. Mamy tu do czynienia z nie- sprawiedliwą strukturą binarną rozciągniętą pomiędzy dwoma skrajnymi wartościami, wynikającą z tego, że społeczeń- stwo często wyzyskuje i degraduje środowisko, a z kolei pozycja kobiet jest pod wieloma względami niedoceniana. Rola kobiet w zarządzaniu i monitorowaniu środowiska jest na ogół podważana. Proponowany przez nas sposób zaradzenia tej sytuacji polegałby na zdemaskowaniu błędnego przekonania, że kobiety niezmiennie mają niewielki lub wręcz żaden wpływ na stan środowiska i jego zarządzanie, a ich rola sprowadza się jedynie do biologicznie uwarunkowanych zadań związanych z reprodukcją i ograniczonych do takich czynności jak gotowanie, zmywanie, zbieranie drewna na opał i kar- mienie dzieci. Artykuł ukazuje negatywny wpływ takiego właśnie postrzegania roli kobiet w społeczeństwie na klimat, zanieczyszczenie środowiska i, w konsekwencji, zaburzenie funkcjonowania biosfery (gatunków roślin i zwierząt). Stosując zasadę komplementarności, artykuł kładzie nacisk na potrzebę wykorzenienia społecznie i kulturowo ugruntowanego podejścia do kwestii zależności społeczeństwa od środowiska oraz męskich i żeńskich ról społecznych. Niniejszy artykuł U.J. Ezugwu, E. Maduka, E.E. Etta, S. A. Ekanem, U.T. Egaga 78 nawołuje do włączenia perspektywy płci do głównego nurtu polityki środowiskowej, poszerzenia możliwości kobiet w tym zakresie i zwiększenia ich udziału w działaniu na rzecz zarządzania środowiskowego na wszystkich jego poziomach. Słowa kluczowe: zarządzanie środowiskowe, zrównoważony rozwój, zanieczyszczenia, włączenie kobiet, komplementarność Introduction counterparts, as soon as it is slightly mecha- The claim by environmental scholars that nized. That is, women are quick to be jetti- the relationship between human society soned as soon as the use of instruments like and physical environment is gender neutral, carts or delivery tricycles are introduced, or affecting both women and men in the same the job becomes payable. Following this dis- way is revisited and proven to be wrong. criminatory arrangement, men are placed This assertion is based on a consideration higher than women, as women are only of the dichotomy or diametrical relation- taken to be responsible for household works ship often experienced between men and and bringing up children (Rico 1998). We women in environmental management. argue that women’s role in society is multi- The differentiated socio-cultural construc- faceted, in the sense that it is not restricted tion of men and women’s roles means that to the duties that help nourish domestic and the linkages between people and the physi- social life, but also in the flourishing of pub- cal environment impact the sexes differently lic life. Women have contributed to fishing, (OSCE 2009). As men and women have dif- farming and so many other local scale pro- ferent roles in the family, community and ductions linked to the environment, which work-force, they are likely to have differ- undeniably contribute to the livelihoods ent personal attitudes, priorities and power of their families and communities. With over resources when it comes to environ- these, it is obvious that women are part mental protection or management. Men of practices that help in development. In and women also interact differently with spite of these roles, women in contempo- the environment, which provides them with rary Africa, particularly Nigeria, are eco- different opportunities to protect it (Collier nomically deprived in the different aspects and Rosaldo 1981). This, notwithstanding, of the economy over the centuries (Egaga in most households in Nigeria, women are and Aderibigbe 2015; Dankelman 1985). This not given the opportunity to explore beyond is the reason they hardly join politics or con- house chores, washing of clothes, cooking, sidered among decision makers, in dealing nursing babies and fetching of firewood. with the issues that affect the environment. Due to their often-restricted access to pub- Furthermore, women are hierarchically lic positions and political participation, deci- subordinated to men in decision making. sions about water and waste management This incessant subordination they suffer systems in the community are often taken is the cause of the environmental destruc- by men, who do not necessarily take into tion taking place in the rural and urban account the views and needs of the female areas (Mabawonku 2001; Shiva 1998; Sawal- household managers. This is the case, irre- hah2012). In trying to survive, women spective of the fact that management engage in menial jobs that in turn lead to air, of households’ waste is more of women’s water and land pollution, such as bush burn- responsibility than that of men. This, not- ing, deforestation, flooding, soil erosion and withstanding, as the removal of waste is indiscriminate waste disposal especially in usually the unpaid work of women, the said the urban areas. These activities of women work is taken away from them by their male affect health, agriculture, minerals, food, The Place of Women in Environmental Management and Sustainability in Nigeria 79 housing and bio-organisms especially in and environmental problems. Here, it will relation to people, animals and other living be stated that the environmental problems things. More so, in many African countries, we are faced with today in Nigeria, and by education of women has remained at a much extension Africa can be attributed to cli- lower level than that of men. Lack of edu- matic factors and women exclusivity in cation has subjugated women especially in environmental management and control. the rural areas to the bottom of the socio- The second section will establish the need for economic ladder. This has also prevented gender-based environmental interconnec- them from knowledge and understanding tion and equity. At this point, equity-based of the environment in which they live. This argument will be made instead of the usual lack of knowledge has made them vulner- equality-based argument. This position is able tool for environmental pollution and founded on the assumption that men and degradation (Smith 1971; Mba 1995). Their women are not homogeneous in nature and access to quality education and acquisition have different job duties to accomplish in of knowledge on environmental sustainabil- view of sustaining, protecting and enriching ity could reduce this environmental degra- the environment. Thirdly, a proposal will dation, create opportunities for women and be made for a complementary understand- increase their potentials beyond the tradi- ing of the environment in relation to gender tional household tasks, for local, national (male and female). This will go a long way and global development. Though, this paper in the repositioning and retraining of our presents how women have been under- mind-views to avoid the discriminative and mined and subjugated by their men coun- elitist mindset, which states that men are terparts, it insists that women and men are better and safer in environmental policy, not homogeneous entities. They are of dif- decision making and sustainability. ferent personalities and identities and can- not be said to be equal. This is why equity is 1. Women, Climate Change and preached here rather than equality, as there Environmental Problems are variegated roles performed by men that It is evident that climate change has cannot be carried out by women and vice impacted differently on different demo- versa. This is due to formal and informal graphics in Nigeria. The impacts of climate constraints: rules and norms that shape change have made vulnerable groups espe- the behaviour of actors in society and gender cially women, children, farmers, youths, relations and identities. Division of labour – the disabled and elderly persons to face the tasks and responsibilities that men and higher risks and greater burdens as they women are expected to fulfil in private and hardly fend for themselves and families. public arenas, also attest to the claim under These climate change-related environmen- discussion. It is on this note that the paper tal problems such as erosion, flood, deserti- proposes complementarity as a principle fication, pollution, drought, heat waves have to demonstrate that men and women may caused stress on natural resources (land, have different identities but are complemen- water, forests) and livelihoods. Limited par- tarily related. ticipation of women in decision-making It is lack of gender equity, which comple- processes and labour markets deepen ine- mentarity as a method professes that brings qualities and often prevent them from fully about the glaring obstacle in achieving contributing to climate-related planning, a more sustainable society that guarantee policy-making, implementation, monitor- socio-environmental justice, fragile ecosys- ing and evaluation (Federal Ministry of Envi- tem recovery and environmental protec- ronment 2020). Although the paper agrees tion. The first section of this paper will deal with the Federal Ministry of Environment with the issues of gender, climate change that something needs to be done to carry U.J. Ezugwu, E. Maduka, E.E. Etta, S. A. Ekanem, U.T. Egaga 80 women along in policy or decision making are barely represented in parliament/politics and implementation, it disagrees with its and often excluded in legislations. To cor- cry of inequality. Hence, it is difficult if not rect these anomalies, women are to be inte- impossible for two different entities to be grated in policy process design, implemen- equal or to be treated equally. It is in this tation, monitoring and evaluation – with backdrop, that the paper emphasis on equity a view to promoting equity and fairness and complementarity, where women will be between women and men. This position will treated fairly, complementarily and justly, in be elaborated in the next chapter. recognition of their capabilities, in the envi- ronmental management and development. 2. Women, Environmental Interconnection By implication, women should not only and Equity be victims, as they are also agents of change The gender and climatic issues that exist in and have unique knowledge and capabilities Nigeria today are due to the disconnection (United Nations Population Fund 2018). See- between the male and female sexes, in deal- ing women always as those with little or no ing and managing the issues of the environ- knowledge of the environment is the reason ment. There have been elements of bifurca- for the environmental problems and climatic tion and in-equitability in running the affairs issues that affect the Nigerian economy. of the environment. Women have been With this in mind, the problem of climate sidelined in decision making and imple- change that we battle with today can be mentation of environmental policies and averted or addressed through the inclu- evaluation. This polarized mentality has dis- sion of women in the policies and leader- torted the expected relationship that ought ship of the environment. It is obvious that to exist between Gender and the environ- the debate about gender equality and ine- ment (Amole 1998; Gass 1987; Das 1988). quality is gradually fading away, as the recent The ingenuity of women is equally treated argument is on the gender mainstreaming, with levity. Meanwhile, if recognized and ensuring that both men and women’s needs appropriated, it can help in achieving both are reflected in policy formulation and regional and national objectives and strate- implementation. In spite of the efforts on gies. If women are incorporated, they have this, there exist disparities between men and the potential and skills for policy formula- women, especially in the socio-economic tion and development. This is substantiated and socio-political sphere. The National following the great women of the world Bureau of Statistics explains it as follows: and Africa and Nigeria in particular, who “The National Bureau of Statistics in 2018 have paid the price in one way or the other, records 59.3% literacy level for women as for environmental and socio-economic opposed to 70.9% literacy level for men. advancements. Again, women employees in civil service Chilokwu (2007), corroborates this, as were recorded at 38.16% as opposed to men he avers that “the history of women’s socio employees 68.84% in 2016. The same is – economic contribution is felt everywhere reflected in the political sphere where men in our various environment. The contribu- constitute 94.71% of the National Parliament, tions of Mao Vijaye Kami Paudit 1953, Cey- from 1999 – 2015” (National Bureau for Sta- lon 1960, Indira Ghandi of India, Golda tistics 2018). Meir, who was the Prime minister of Israel All these attests to the alarming imbalance in 1969, Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Min- between men and women representation in ister of Great Britain from 1980 to 1990, the social, political and economic sphere. Mary Moodley and Winnie Mandela, Mar- From the statistics above, it is obvious that garet Ekpo, Queen Amina of Zaria and Dr women are more vulnerable to the impacts Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala, attest to the above of climate change in Nigeria. Hence, they submission. With the contributions of these The Place of Women in Environmental Management and Sustainability in Nigeria 81 calibres of women of the world, Africa and The next section will dwell more on the ten- Nigeria, women can effectively, as caretak- ets of complementarity and its applicability ers of the environment, promote peace for in sustaining the environment. environmental and economic development. On this stand point, this article calls for 3. Towards a Complementary gender-based interconnection and equity, Understanding of the Environment as a way of eliminating all socio-cultur- for Sustainability ally perceived attributes of distinction that The issues of gender, environment and envi- empowers men and neglects women in deal- ronmental sustainability are topical. Hence, ing with the issues of the environment, for there is no neutrality or homogeneity in economic advancement of the world. When the relationship of human society and envi- this proposed gender-based interconnection ronment or men and women. To claim that and equity is upheld, the relationship that the relationship between human nature and should bind men and women together, espe- environment is gender neutral, affecting cially in the issue of environment, which has both women and men in the same way, is been neglected on different occasions, will to simply question the existence of nature, be restored. Here, the natural law of divi- which has , for long , created division sion of labour will be respected and men of labour between the two sexes or among and women complementing each other in realities. Abiding by this law of nature formulating policies and carrying out their attracts unity and averts the untold disaster, environmental responsibilities diligently. which going against law of nature attracts. This may trigger some questions like – What “It is, therefore, pertinent that we adhere happens to individuals’ identities during this to the exploration of nature in conformity complementation? Who becomes in charge with the principles that will not in any way or in control in the proposed complemen- provoke nature” (Ezugwu 2022). Though, tary relationship? To answer these questions, nature plays a vital role in the issue of envi- it is important to note that no identity is lost ronment, complementarity, equity, harmoni- in complementation. Complementation is zation and solidarity, which the paper seeks, a quality of complementing others and being lie in our hands personally and collectively. complementable. Variables can complement, To curb and if possible, eradicate these cli- but the best form of complementation is matic and environmental problems, which between opposites. It is a question of one have truncated our peace and discourages being fulfilled or completed by the presence our economic growth, women must be of others and nothing more. allowed or given the required room to show- The only way to achieve this within case their skills in environmental policies the ambience of the topic of discussion is and deliberations (Odunjo et al. 2015). Put for the men to ensure that women are car- differently, women must be brought into ried along-in view of the fact that to be is organizations at high levels to ensure vis- not to be alone but to be with others. This ibility and credibility, as sustainable envi- does not actually preach equality but equity ronment and development can only be and fairness knowing very well that it is dif- achieved through collaborative works and ficult for two separate entities to be treated efforts of all the stakeholders, the women equally. Hence, their genetic makeup, back- and the men, the young and old, commu- grounds and job duties are not the same. But nities, churches, mosques, academia, local they can be justly and fairly treated in recog- government unions and civil society groups. nition of each one’s skills and likely contri- In line with the above view, Arizpe et al butions to the environment. With this, none (1993), maintain that we must be demo- is said to be in control of the other in deci- cratic if we are to sustain our environment. sion and policy making of the environment. According to them, being democratic will U.J. Ezugwu, E. Maduka, E.E. Etta, S. A. Ekanem, U.T. Egaga 82 help in bringing both men and women closer actors and caretakers of the environment. It in policy making, as it concerns the environ- is this kind of mentality that has deprived ment and distribution of resources. In other a good number of women the educational words, all sections of society need to partici- opportunities that would have inculcated in pate on an equitable basis, both in the deci- them the need to avoid environmental pollu- sions as to the direction of environmental tion, as it affects the condition of our health policies and in the benefits of economic negatively. growth and development afterwards. This Consequently, the paper had advocated for point is very essential to this research work, mainstreaming of gender-based intercon- as it prioritizes complementary relationship nection and equity, as a way out of the polar- that allows interaction between substance ized mindsets between women and men, in and accident, men and women, black and environmental development and pursuit. white, not really as equal realities, but as Here, it was stated categorically clear that complementary realities that crave for har- equity is different from equality. As equity mony in achieving great tasks together. In deals with justice and fairness, equality is view of this, it becomes unnecessary to ele- about having the same identity, size, gift, vate men above women, hence, “anything skill and job duties. In all, it is believed that exists serves a missing link of reality” that nature/God has made it in such a way (Asouzu 2011). And every human action that division of labour prevails in human is meant to gear towards the joy of being. relations and sexes. It is on this note that Elevating the world immanent missing link the paper insists on complementarity, where to an absolute instance, denies the fact that differences are put together, each struggling the spice of being depends strictly on its lim- to survive and contribute for the betterment itation and integration. Having known this, of the environment. When this, becomes the environmental problems which have the case, women and men will be allowed formed the topic of discussion in the coun- to perform their duties, and most impor- try can be addressed if the minds of men tantly, engage in the environmental policy are retrained to see women as actors that formulations and implementations, for envi- can equally contribute to formulating poli- ronmental sustainability. cies and discharging of their environmental responsibilities. Author contributions: Conceptualization, U.J.E and M.E; Methodology, E.E.E and S.A.E; Investigation, U.J.E, Conclusion M.E and U.Th.E; Writing – Original Draft, U.J.E and M.E; This study has shown that women’s par- Writing – Review and Editing – U.J.E, M.E and E.E.E; Su- ticipation in environmental management pervision, U.J.E and M.E. The authors have read and agree in Nigeria is low and it is crucial to inte- to the published version of the manuscript. grate them in environmental issues. This Institutional Review Board Statement: Not Applica- is a proof also that there is never a water- ble. tight relationship between human society Funding: The research received no external funding. and environment, as it pertains to men and Conflict of Interests: The authors declare no conflict women. Women’s skills are often under- of interests. mined; hence women are treated with lev- ity and unjustly in dealing with the issue References of the environment. There is this belief that Amole, Dolapo. 1998. “Planned Residential women have little or nothing to offer in Environment in Nigeria: Implications for Women.” the field of environment, as their job duties Habitat Studies in Nigeria 79-91. are basically farming, nursing of children, Arizpe, Lourdes, Fernada Paz, and Margarita washing and cooking. This type of thought Velázquez Gutierrez. 1993. 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