Gender Participation in Community Development Governance in the Niger Delta: A Case of the SPDC GMoU

Abstract

The quality of women participation in Community development governance systems is considered to impact the outcomes of such initiatives in addressing the needs of rural women. The objective of this investigation was to examine the extent to which gender is mainstreamed in the governance structure of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. The constraints and implications of women participation in the GMoU were analysed with a view of ascertaining not only the representation of women but their contribution to development outcomes. Previous analysis of the GMoU fell short by depending on secondary data obtained from SPDC’s interval evaluation system or primary data that excluded perspectives of the rural women and men in the GMoU communities. The study adopted the purposive sampling technique while the population was selected using criterion sampling. Key Informant Interviews were conducted with 28 respondents selected in Seven active clusters while respondents from each cluster was selected based on their participation and experience with the GMoU. Focused group discussions were conducted with 37 participants drawn from communities in each cluster which brought the sample size of the study to 68. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis procedures using Sustainable Community Development Parameters (SCDP) as a guide. While the women appointed to executive positions enjoyed tokenism, the study found that gender representation in the GMoU policy was not significant to enhance community development. Priority needs of community women were also not being met due to the reluctance of Community Development Boards (CDB) to release funds earmarked for women and the inadequate GMoU funding to cater for community’s priority needs. The mainstreaming of gender in the GMoU was also hampered by the lack of an intent on the part of SPDC to achieve gender equality and little or no enforcement by the monitoring NGO’s. The study did not find significant evidence that showed women's participation in the GMoU led to improved project outcomes but it was established that potentials exists for greater contribution of women in local economic development. The study concludes that women’s insights and values can enrich the community development decision making at the grassroots with the mainstreaming of gender at every stage of the GMoU process.