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WOMEN'S VISIBILITY
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By considering 1976-1985 as the United Nations (UN) Decade for women, the UN
contributed to the public awareness of the essential role that women play in
their respective societies. The recognition by the UN of the important role
African women play in development led to the creation of innumerable governmental
programmes for women. As for today, international bodies so as an ordinary person,
can no longer refute the work of African women in the area of development.
The evolution of women's situation is also the result of the initiatives taken
by the UN in the year seventies whereby programmes were put up for women. A good
example is the launching of the Decade for women at Mexico in 1975.
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Governmental initiatives for women
Important dispositions put forward by governments were supported by
international organisations. Training programmes for women were created.
It was also essential to encourage the participation of women in development
projects so as to provide qualified development staff. These initiatives
enforced the initial role played by rural women in the economic development
of their respective countries.
The Better Life Programme (BLP) and
the Family Support Programme (FSP)
The BLP and the FSP were launched in Nigeria after the creation of the women's decade.
These two programmes were envisaged essentially to permit a better integration of rural
women in the socio-economic dynamism of Nigeria. The BLP was created in 1986 and launched
in September 1987 by Mrs Maryam Babangida. At first, it was called Better Life for Rural
Women, and later on, Better Life for Rural Dwellers. In 1994, with the change of government,
Mrs Maryam Abacha renamed the BLP, Family Support Programme.
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RECOGNITION
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The third decade for development (1980-1990) was a period of hope for African women,
especially after their recognition as principal actors of development. This recognition
was essentially due to the petroleum crisis and difficulties encountered in the eighties
by many third world countries, especially those non-producers of petrol. This critical
situation was beneficial to women because their capability of financial autonomy became
obvious and recognised.
It was not only after the recognition that women began to be faced with uncountable
opportunities and offers such as creation of associations and group participation in development.
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WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
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www.femmeda.com
info@femmeda.com
THE AIM IS TO:
- Make information available for researchers, organisations and individuals.
- Enlighten people on development programmes in Nigeria.
- Give a review of the production of documentary films regarding issues on African women
and development.
- Publish articles written by researchers or non-researchers. Authors are responsible
for the contents of their articles.
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The BLP as well as the FSP succeeded in their campaign for the mobilisation
of women into forming associations. Through associations, they could have access
to governmental loans.
Each of the thirty-six States of Nigeria now has a Ministry of women affairs and
social development headed by a woman. And again, we presently find in Nigeria,
several Women Commissions at different levels of the State. As for today, there is
a strong bureaucratic machinery responsible for the issues of women in Nigeria
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The Place of Women in Nigeria
The women development programmes in Nigeria demonstrate that the
socio-cultural situation of the country is in evolution and that
there is an emergence regarding new behaviours. Women's issues are
no longer considered a taboo, the problems they encounter are now
known to the public. Through the awareness of the public opinion,
new habits are developed. Women now know their rights and participate
better in the political, economic and social life of the country.
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