Gender discrimination means treating people unfairly because they are male or female. This happens when boys and girls are not given the same chances. In Nigeria, this happens a lot. For example, many girls are forced to marry before they turn 18. In fact, about 30% of women aged 20–24 were married before 18. This stops them from going to school and living their dreams. Today we will answer the question of “What is gender discrimination?”
Effects of Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination hurts everyone. When girls marry young, they often stop going to school. This means they can’t get good jobs later. Also, women do a lot of farm work—up to 79% in rural areas—but men are five times more likely to own the land. This isn’t fair and keeps women poor.
Moreover, gender-based violence is rising. In January 2025, there were 17 cases of women being killed, a 240% increase from the previous year.
This shows that women are not safe, and more needs to be done to protect them.
How Can We Stop Gender Discrimination?
We can make things better by treating boys and girls the same. This means letting girls go to school and not forcing them to marry young. We should also have strong laws to protect girls from harm. Everyone, including leaders and families, must work together to make sure girls are safe and have the same chances as boys.
Conclusion
The question of “What is gender discrimination” is a dicey one. Gender discrimination is a big problem in Nigeria. It stops women from getting education, owning land, and feeling safe. To learn more and find ways to help, visit genderpedia.ng/shop.
