First Lady Aisha Buhari has bemoaned gender inequality in Nigerian societies, stating that men generally believe women are best as home keepers.

“In most parts of Nigeria, women are considered subordinates to their male counterparts, and it is generally believed that women are best suited as home keepers,” Mrs Buhari said.

The First Lady was represented by Aisha Aminu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legal Matters, Office of the First Lady, at the women leadership lecture to commemorate International Women’s Day on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to her, World Bank studies show that many women worldwide are still prevented by law from working in specific jobs; and in many countries, men can legally forbid their wives from working.

Mrs Buhari stressed that, sadly, even when women work, the gender pay gap meant they did not earn as much as men.

“In Nigeria, the case is not different; gender inequality is influenced by different cultures and beliefs,” she noted. “This is evident even in our law-making and policy formulation processes.”

Mrs Buhari called on Nigerians to support processes that help women gain power and economic success.

She stated that unless women had access to empowerment opportunities that allowed them to gain education and join the workforce, many countries would not develop as well as they should.

(NAN)