By: Mohamed Sahr
The Ogoni, a minority group region situated in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria have been disproportionately affected by the oil industry's activities which have polluted their land, water and air.
However, the pollution has led to health problems such as respiratory diseases, cancer and birth defects.
The crisis has also sparked social unrest and protests. On that point, this work focuses on the Ogoni women as a set of minority groups.
Hence, the on-going oil pollution crisis is a tragedy that has left a severe toll on the women.
For decades, oil companies have spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into the Ogoni environment, causing catastrophic damage. Women have been forced to live with contaminated water, toxic soil, air pollution, and they have been denied access to basic human rights such as health and well-being. Even their traditional way of life that is centred on farming and fishing has disappeared forever. Since then, the crisis has continued to this day, as the women continue to fight for their rights and their future.
Prominent among the atrocities caused by the oil pollution is the economic impact on women. It is believed that the region once relied heavily on farming and fishing, but these crafted industries where they find their living have been destroyed. Women have been forced into poverty with nothing to cater for their Livelihoods and loss of government revenue, as the oil industry is considered to be the major source of income for the Nigeria government.
That said, the women have also faced increased costs for healthcare and clean water, further compounding their economic problems. United Nations Environment Assessment Report 2011 details the extensive environmental damage fermented by the oil industry and its impact on the local economy.
On another hand, the social constraints of oil pollution, especially on women, have been far-reaching. The crisis has led to a downrisk of traditional social structures, as communities have been displaced and forced to evacuate. This situation has disrupted family and community relationships, as well as led to an increase in crime and violence. Also, children's education has got a downfall, as schools have been destroyed or closed.
This has led to a decline in the quality of education, and has made it difficult for children to continue their studies. Health and Environment in the Niger Delta handbook published by the Social Action Health and Environment Program in 2005 details the impacts of the crisis on social life including family, education, and access to healthcare. Amnesty International's 2007 report documents the human rights violations associated with the crisis. Also, Human Rights Watch's 2008 report "Wasted Lives" focuses on the lack of compensation for victims in the crisis. It includes testimonies from Ogoni women who have been affected by the pollution.
Yet in the end, the environmental devastation caused by the oil pollution can serve as a factor to the problem faced by women during the on-going spate. Giving that, the environment has been severely degraded by oil operations.
Ogoni women have been denied farming and fishing because of the persistent pollution of the waters with the loss of biodiversity and land degradation. Soil, surface water and groundwater are contaminated with toxic compounds.
However, the United Nations Environment Programme Assessment keynote in 2011 finds that air pollution is a major problem. That is to emphasize, women of Ogoniland have been exposed to significant health risks.
In summary, the remote Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been on the brink of collapse as a result of oil pollution for the past decades. Women are left with little or nothing, their Livelihoods are destroyed and their health being damaged. Despite the devastation the women faced, they are fighting for change and demanding that the oil companies and government take responsibility for the damage they have caused. Therefore, these women are seeking a future free from pollution and degradation.
Connect with the reporter via email on: mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
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