Gender Dimension Of The Environmental Challenges In Nigeria'S Niger Delta

In the oil-rich Niger Delta, women bear the greater brunt of the environmental challenges confronting the region. Women suffer from environmental degradation, loss of livelihood, physical abuse, deprivation and other human rights violation. Studies on the gendered nature of the environmental issues in the Niger Delta have offered limited insights into the women's aspect of the challenges. The paper focuses on the gender dimension of the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta. Data for the study is derived from interviews with key informants and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in the oil communities in the Niger Delta and relevant extant studies.The study argues that the nature and dynamics of the oil-induced environmental challenges facing women in the Niger Delta are shaped by culture, politics, educational and empowerment opportunities. The paper demonstrates that the environmental challenges differ for categories of women as a result of the interplay of these factors and how they impact on women's socio-economic position in oil communities. The women capacity to navigate the environmental challenges is shaped by the intersection of these factors that are prevalent in the oil communities in the Niger Delta region. The Nigerian government, oil multinationals and local leaders need to provide empowerment programmes designed through consultation with the local women to understand their specific needs and aspirations. It is important that the government summon the political will to implement gender-inclusive programmes that can tackle the socio-economic and political deprivations confronting the local women in the Niger Delta.