Women and Women and YouthYouth

Rabi IsmaRoundtable meeting on KanoYar’adua centre, Abuja24 May 2011

Population stats*• 4,844,128 males• 4,539,554 females

*2006 census

Males Females

Percentage in wage employment

91.9% 8.1%

Problems women face• Poverty• High illiteracy levels• Lack of access to education• Early marriage• Lack of access to quality healthcare• Little protection from domestic violence• Violation of women’s rights / traditional

roles• Minimal role in / excluded from decision

making

Youth• Poverty• Low literacy• Low enrolment rates• Unemployment• Frustration and disillusionment• Drug abuse• Other health-related issues

Risk Factors• Rapid population growth• Increasing pressure on resources • Low IGR• Declining quality of education• ‘Almajiri’ phenomenon• Deficient facilities• Dying industries• Ineffective public planning • Corruption

Recommendations…• In-depth research and analysis to identify and implement

effective programmes / interventions• Strong, committed leadership• Inclusive participation of women in the public decision

making process• Affirmative action strategies / special measures with clear

targets (e.g. vocational / job centres)• Gender and youth responsive budgets• Strong laws backed by resources and implementation• Accountability• Engagement with stakeholders• M & E

Vocational training/dev

Literacy

Participation RightsInterventions

In their own words…

• “Leaders’ own children go to private schools so they do not care about the public system. We have no seats or equipment.” (young teacher, male)

• “I believe if the government can make the health and education systems function properly then it will be a better place. These two systems dictate productivity and socio economic status.” (recent graduate, female)

• “If things functioned properly, my neighbours at home would not go for natal care and end up giving birth at home because the medical personnel of the hospital maltreat them.” (student, female)

• “Some of them (politicians) started out as young men who didn’t cultivate a reading habit. This means they didn’t have the information needed to lead their people. The youths of today are gradually towing that line and someday some of us here who aspire for political positions will get there without anything in our brains and we’ll behave worse than them.” (self employed, male)

Women and youth have a crucial role to play in Kano’s development. Enhancing the options of women and youth will boost the state’s economy and move it closer to actualizing its potential

Thank you