The Role of Gender Equality and Good Governance in Peacestudies: The Nigerian Experience (Published)
Peace could be seen as an individual’s state of mind with ideal society that operates in understanding, security and unity. The content of peace education programme must be problem solving and related to the economic, political, cultural, or social conditions that constitute the conflicting issues. Conflict resolution is a set of principles applied to encourage warring parties to seek peace. This means that the conflict is resolved when the basic needs of the parties have been met or satisfied. Conflict management refers to effort made to change the perceptions and attitudes of the people involved (Odoh 2006) Gender Equality is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision making and the state of valuing different behaviour, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender. Good governance is measured by 8 characteristics of participation rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus oriented, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency and accountability. Using descriptive and analytical approach with anecdotal evidence gleaned from qualitative and historical literature on peace. Gender discrimination, equality and governance from traditional delegate system to modern system of governance from textbooks, library materials, oral interview, participant observation and internet materials, key informant etc. The study revealed that gender gap reduces productivity and diminishes contribution and does not only affect women’s well-being and that of their families but also imposes high cost on the economy through productive losses. Development of a community or society is a collaborative effort of all citizens which can only be possible when there is peace in that community or society. It is an indisputable fact that development is about people and development is only sustainable to the extent to which human resources are developed. Gender gap reduces productivity and diminishes contribution and does not only affect women’s well-being and that of their families but also imposes high cost on the economy through productive losses. Strict adherence to the principles of good governance will ensure that peace reigns in Nigeria. Based on the finding, the study recommended amongst others that themes on good governance and peace studies should be part of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions curricular in Nigeria. Topics such as electoral rights and processes, and gender equality should be taught. This will help in raising individuals that are gender sensitive, individuals who see people in their own rights as human beings not males being superior to females.
Keywords: Governance, Justice, Peace, Rule Of Law, equality