Eco Feminism and Women Representation in Governance: A Critical Analysis of the Nigerian Legal Framework

Since 1995, Nigeria and 187 other countries have committed to ensuring women have equal access and participation in power structures and decision-making. This was a laudable step from the age-long convention of building governance on patriarchal lines. Patriarchal governance is believed to have adversely affected the environment as women are closer to nature being consumers and producers, caretakers of their families and educators. They play an essential role in promoting sustainable development through their concern for the quality and sustainability of life for present and future generations. Ironically, this significant role women play has become a justification for their alienation from the private sphere. Though globally acknowledged that women have a unique value and role in environmental governance, a host of factors are responsible for their exclusion and implementation of the existing legal framework in Nigeria related to environmental governance. The adverse side of technology, westernisation and others have exploited nature and led to the oppression of women, who are the most significant environmental degradation victims of their vulnerability and interface with nature. This has provoked the birth and growth of the concept of ecofeminism. Twenty-eight years after Nigeria’s commitment to promoting women in governance, this paper seeks to, through doctrinal research, use ecofeminism as a lens to critically interrogate the existing legal framework and ascertain if, indeed, they provide the mechanism for the Nigerian woman to have equal access to and participate in decision making and environmental governance. This is to strategically address the inherent complexity of environmental problems and climate change ravaging mother earth. The paper will comprehensively address gaps that are snowballing with each passing day and identify the role women must play as the most significant stakeholder in its governance.