Assessing the Implementation of the National Gender Policy in Anambra State, South East Nigeria

This study assesses the implementation of Nigeria's National Gender Policy in Anambra State, South East Nigeria, examining whether its provisions for gender mainstreaming, women's economic empowerment, and protection from gender-based violence have been operationalised at the state level. Gender policy implementation in Nigeria has been uneven, with significant gaps between federal policy commitments and state-level institutional action. Drawing on gender mainstreaming theory and recent women's policy literature from 2019 to 2024, the study employs a descriptive survey design. A sample of 215 respondents comprising Ministry of Women Affairs officials, civil society gender advocates, female legislators, community women leaders, and programme beneficiaries is drawn from three senatorial zones in Anambra State using purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and policy document reviews are used. Descriptive statistics and content analysis are applied. The study anticipates that Anambra's implementation record reveals a gap between official policy endorsement and actual resource allocation, resulting in underfunded women empowerment programmes, inadequate gender-disaggregated budgeting, and limited inter-ministerial coordination on gender equality initiatives. Cultural resistance to challenging patriarchal norms is also examined as a barrier to policy effectiveness. Findings will inform recommendations for institutional capacity building, gender-responsive budgeting, and civil society monitoring of gender policy commitments in Anambra State and across the South East zone. Keywords: gender policy, implementation, women's empowerment, Anambra State, gender mainstreaming