Analysis of Gender and Environmental Security Gaps in Nigeria: Experience from the Niger Delta Region
Luke Amadi1, Mina Ogbanga2
Citation : Luke Amadi, Mina Ogbanga, Analysis of Gender and Environmental Security Gaps in Nigeria: Experience from the Niger Delta Region International Journal of Research in Environmental Science 2016, 2(2) : 33-48
Human security studies have deconstructed the state centric notion of security which centers on territorial boundaries and provides novel insights on micro level analysis of security studies within human dimensions. In this unfolding dynamic, the human dimension has not engaged substantially with gender security both as a distinct field of study or approach to non-traditional security study. This article is a theoretical exploration which attempts to conceptualize gender security to identify a myriad environmental insecurity triggers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria associated with multinational oil companies and oil resource extraction such as oil spill, pollution, acid rains, gas flaring etc. The study deployed a relational content analysis (RCA) methodology to explore relevant secondary data on issues surrounding gender and environmental security in the Niger Delta. The aim is to create a relationship between environment and gender security and consider why human security arguments should be broadened to distinctively explore gender security as a specific pillar of security study. Findings suggest that international policy discourse in this regard has not made a significant impact in gender security studies. The article concludes that human security scholarship must transcend its narrow conceptual underpinnings if it is to make a lasting impact upon security studies, such overarching efforts should include prioritizing gender security as integral to security equality and amelioration of women's vulnerability.