Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in aquaculture value chain: the role of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s Niger Delta

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative implemented by multinational oil companies (MOCs) in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on mainstreaming gender in aquaculture value chain in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population. It was essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 800 women respondents were sampled across the rural areas of the Niger Delta region. Findings The results from the use of a combined logit model and propensity score matching indicate that CSR of the MOCs using the GMoU has recorded little but significant success in improving women’s participation in the socio-economic activities of the region. The results also demonstrated that if women had equal access to the opportunities available to men such as finance, training on ponds, extension services, inputs (fingerling, fish feed, cages and pens) and other resources, they would behave similarly. Practical implications In terms of implications for practice, it is apparent from the findings that productivity of women in aquaculture in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region can be enhanced by means of MOCs’ CSR via GMoU programmes. Hence, more women in aquaculture (especially those in the informal economic sector) need to leverage on the GMoU programmes in order to benefit from associated rewards, and inclusion in adopting aquaculture technology (production of fingerling and juveniles, improved feed, better pond management and technology advancement). Social implications The result implies that in order to promote gender equality and empower women in the aquaculture value chain, women should be encouraged to participate in GMoU clusters’ decision-making process, and be provided with access to physical and capital resources for developing their industry and meeting their needs and aspiration. It also indicates the necessity of the GMoUs to provide women with the training and formal education to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of their socio-economic activities, ensuring adequate infrastructure, equipment, technologies and access to markets. Originality/value This research contributes to the gender discourse in aquaculture value chain analysis from a CSR perspective in developing countries and the rationale for host communities’ desire for socio-economic projects. It concludes that business must assist in solving public-interest challenges.