GENDER EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS IN LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN NIGERIAN HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, ENUGU STATE

Abstract This study tries to investigate gender equality and fairness in leadership opportunities in Nigerian House of parliament, National Assembly, Enugu State House of Assembly and some selected State and Federal government establishments.  Gender equality means that woman and men enjoy the same status and have opportunities to realize their full human rights and potentials to contribute to sought to address among other objectives the following: to find out the ratio of men and women in leadership positions in the above organizations, to ascertain if there is greater imbalance, to determine if women are under-represented.  The study employed descriptive research design and used questionnaires and personal interviews to collect data from 300 employees.  The study tests the hypothesis that there is gender inequality and unfairness in leadership opportunities in the above mentioned organizations in Nigeria.  The findings collected from the organizations supported the hypothesis, in addition this inequality retards the full participation of women in the social and economic structures of Nigeria.  The implication of the study is that gender inequality, is a constraint to the progress of sustainable development in Nigeria.  The area of study includes the House of Parliament, National Assembly, Enugu State house of Assembly and some selected federal and state government establishments in Nigeria.
Key Words: Gender Equality, Fairness Leadership, Under-Represented, Empowerment        
Introduction
What does “gender” Mean? Gender equality is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals as well as a human right. Gender:  refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female and the relationships between women and men and girls and boys, as well as the relations between women and those between men.  These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes.  They are context/time-specific and changeable.  Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a women or a man in a given context.  In most societies there are differences and inequalities between women and men in responsibilities assigned, activities undertaken, access to and control over resources, as well as decision-making opportunities.  Gender is part of the broader socio-cultural context.  Other important criteria for socio-cultural analysis include class, race, poverty level, ethnic group and age.
What do we mean by “gender equality and fairness”? Gender equality means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full human rights and for contributing to, and benefiting from, economic, social, cultural and political development.  Gender equality is therefore the equal valuing by society of the similarities and the differences of men and women, and the roles they play.  It is based on women and men being full partners in their home, their community and their society.  Gender equality starts with equal valuing of girls and boys.
General equity means fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their respective needs.  This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities.  In the development context a gender equity goal often requires built-in measures to compensate for the historical and social disadvantages of women.