Transition politics' and the challenge of gender in Nigeria

>At present Nigeria is in a ‘transitional’ period as the country moves into the Third Republic, a form of civilian government devised by the present Federal Military Government (FMG). This has not only entailed the creation of political parties (one, the National Republican Convention, a ‘little to the right’, the other, the Social Democratic Party, a ‘little to the left'), it has also involved the establishment of other organisations conforming to the views of the FMG. A striking number of these are apparently directed towards improving the position of women in Nigerian society. These organisations are critically examined in the context of a structural adjustment programme promoted by the military government, and against the activities of trade unions, political parties and democratic associations.