Attaining Gender Equality for Sustainable Development in Nigeria through the Civil Society Helix Framework

Abstract

In a world where prejudiced information holds sway, fact-based methods are critical in making informed decisions and establishing actionable policies that facilitate the realization of the 2030 Agenda. Gender equality has been globally recognised as decisive in translating sustainable development policies from political rhetoric to grassroots realities. This study examines the pursuance of gender equality in Nigeria from the perspective of the civil society, a crucial component of the quadruple helix model. Using a survey research design with 400 questionnaires distributed, the multiple linear regression analysis was adopted in analysing primary data retrieved from various categories of civil society organizations in Lagos State. Key findings revealed that civil society advocacy for accountability significantly boosts gender-responsive policies (β = 0.873, p < 0.001), and its engagement in community service delivery enhances women’s socio-economic well-being (β = 0.841, p < 0.001). These outcomes validate the framework as effective for achieving gender equality in Nigeria. The study concludes that elevating civil society to a core helix is essential for translating commitments into sustainable outcomes. It recommends developing a multi-stakeholder master plan to institutionalise civil society participation in gender-friendly initiatives at all governance levels.