The High Rate of Poverty in Nigeria and Its Effects on Women and Children
Poverty in Nigeria remains a pervasive and multifaceted challenge, disproportionately affecting women and children. Over the past five years, the socioeconomic landscape has been marred by escalating inflation, insecurity, and inadequate infrastructure, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of these groups.
Overview of Poverty in Nigeria
As of 2022, approximately 63% of Nigerians were classified as multidimensionally poor, lacking access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and clean water. The situation is particularly dire for children, with about 67.5 million out of 99.6 million children experiencing multidimensional poverty.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these conditions, pushing an additional 10 million Nigerians into poverty due to economic disruptions and inflation.
Socioeconomic Effects on Women
Maternal Health and Mortality
Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 576 deaths per 100,000 live births. Contributing factors include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to quality medical services, and malnutrition linked to poverty.
Economic Disparities
Women in Nigeria face significant economic challenges. The labor force participation rate for women is approximately 52.1%, compared to 65.5% for men. This disparity extends to business ownership, political leadership, and access to financial services.
Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices
Poverty has been linked to increased instances of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. Nigeria has the highest number of female genital mutilation (FGM) cases globally, with 27% of women aged 15-49 having undergone the procedure. Child marriage is also prevalent, with 23 million girls and women married as children.
Socioeconomic Effects on Children
Education and Child Labor
Approximately 20 million Nigerian children were out of school as of October 2022, a significant increase from previous years. Economic hardship forces many children into labor to support their families. In rural areas, over 50% of children spend more than 20 hours a week working, often in hazardous conditions.
Health and Nutrition
Malnutrition is a critical issue, with Nigeria having the second-highest burden of stunted children globally. An estimated 2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services exacerbates health problems.
Vulnerability to Exploitation
Children in impoverished communities are more susceptible to exploitation, including child labor and trafficking. Approximately 15 million children in Nigeria are engaged in child labor, often in agriculture and mining sectors.
Government Interventions and Challenges
The Nigerian government has implemented several programs to address poverty, such as the National Social Investment Program, which includes initiatives like the Conditional Cash Transfer Program and the Home Grown School Feeding Program. While these programs aim to alleviate poverty and improve access to education and nutrition, challenges persist in their implementation and reach.
The high rate of poverty in Nigeria over the past five years has had profound socioeconomic effects on women and children. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing educational access, promoting gender equality, and ensuring the effective implementation of poverty alleviation programs.