Women from oil host communities have lamented alleged continued negligence by multinational companies operating in their domains. They claimed that despite their agitations and clamour for ecological justice, oil multinationals have continued to “mindlessly” carry out their operations without recourse to the impact on the environment and their livelihood.

Executive Director, of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Emem Okon, argued that women, unlike men, feel the impact of oil exploration activities more.

She spoke at a town hall meeting on the impacts of the operations of the multinational companies in Port Harcourt, organised by the centre, with support from Oxfam.

According to her, the impact has been on for years, even as the discussion and demand for accountability have also been on for years. She insisted that they have not seen any changes. 

“The people, who have caused the problem are ready to leave and to them, they are done with business. And they want to leave these community members that are vulnerable and divest so we will not reach them.”

Also, a human rights activist and Director of We The People, Ken Henshaw, argued that women feel the direct impact of oil exploration and pollution more when compared to men.

He said: “Women are more impacted by oil pollution and climate change in the Niger Delta. It is women that have fewer corporate opportunities in white-collar jobs. 

“It is women that are more into farming and caregiving than men. The reality is that when there is oil pollution, and it affects livelihoods, it is women that traditionally engage with the polluted ecosystem.”