There is a gap in the voices of women demanding for inclusion and accountability on issues affecting them in Nigeria. Most of them are not aware that their voices can be heard, using the social media platforms. In most rural communities, women are ignorant of the fact that they can demand accountability using their voices. The omission in the system of grassroots and gender accountability in the Nigerian public sector has made corruption a monster. This leads to the erosion of public resources that could be channelled to the general good of the public.
Corruption has affected growth and public access to basic amenities. So many people have been victims of corruption. Rural dwellers rely mostly on basic amenities, such as health care, education/schools, housing, food and agriculture subsidies, social services, transportation, electricity and water. There should be collective rural women movements that will drive demands for accountability from governments. They should not only vote but influence policy makers and legislators. Women’s community-based groups should be strengthened. They should be enlightened not to rely on peanuts given to them by politicians, but to demand accountability during and after electioneering periods as this can help bridge the gap.
Salmat Abdulwaheed,
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD),
Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
