Credit: John Mic
As the world celebrates International Women's Day 2023, it is important to reflect on the factors that impact the well-being of women around the world. While objective factors such as income and physical health are important, subjective perceptions of one's life circumstances play a significant role in shaping individual well-being. This is particularly true for women, whose experiences are often shaped by factors such as social status, cultural norms, and environmental conditions.
To shed light on the subjective perceptions of Nigerian women, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2021 included a question about happiness and overall life satisfaction. The results of the survey revealed significant regional differences in the percentage of women who reported feeling very happy, with some states reporting rates as low as 18.6%, while others had rates as high as 64.1%. These variations highlight the need for tailored policies that take into account the specific needs and circumstances of different communities.
The subjective perception of individuals of their incomes, health, living environments, and the like play a significant role in their lives and can impact their perception of well-being, irrespective of objective conditions such as actual income and physical health status. This is because humans are not just rational beings, but also emotional and social beings, and the way they perceive their environment can impact their happiness and well-being.
The survey found that marital status also played a role in happiness levels. Women who were never married reported being the happiest, with 49.6% reporting being very happy. Geopolitical zones also had an impact on happiness levels, with women from the South West reporting the highest percentage of very happy women at 52.9%, while the North East had the lowest percentage at 39.3%.
These findings illustrate the subjective nature of happiness and well-being. While objective factors such as income, education, and health do play a role in determining happiness levels, they are not the only factors. The way individuals perceive their lives, based on their social, cultural, and personal circumstances, also plays a significant role.
For example, an individual who is objectively wealthy may not be happy if they perceive themselves to be under a lot of stress or if they are unhappy in their personal relationships. On the other hand, an individual who is objectively poor may be happy if they perceive themselves to have a strong social support network and a sense of purpose in life.
The percentage of women who reported being very happy varied significantly by state, as found by the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2021 in Nigeria.
The states with the highest percentage of women who reported being very happy were Anambra at 64.1%, followed by Edo at 63.5%, Delta at 61.8%, Akwa Ibom at 61.3%, and Osun at 61.3%. On the other hand, the states with the lowest percentage of women who reported being very happy were Abia at 18.6%, followed by Adamawa at 25.8%, Enugu at 26.2%, Kano at 28%, and Kwara at 28%.
The variation in happiness levels between states highlights the role of regional factors in shaping subjective well-being. These factors could include economic, social, cultural, or environmental factors. For example, the states with the highest percentage of very happy women tend to have higher levels of economic development, better access to social services, and a more favourable environmental context, while the states with the lowest percentage of very happy women tend to have lower levels of economic development and more challenging environmental and social conditions.
It is important to note that the perception of happiness is subjective and can vary greatly between individuals even within the same state. Therefore, policies aimed at promoting well-being should take into account the specific needs and circumstances of different communities, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. By doing so, policymakers can address the specific needs of different regions, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes for all.