WOMEN AND LOW PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background to the Study

Under the international standards, both men and women should have equal rights and opportunities to everything worldwide most especially to participate fully in all aspects and at all levels of political processes. Globally, women constitute over half of the world's population and constitute/contribute in vital ways to societal development generally. In most societies, women assume some key roles, which are; mother, producer, home manager and community organizer, socio-cultural and political activist; of these many roles mentioned the last has been engendered by women movement. In line with global trend, Nigerian Women constitute nearly half of the population of the country, but despite the major roles they play with their population, women roles in the society are yet to be given recognition. This is due to some cultural stereotypes, abuse of religion, traditional practices and patriarchal societal structures. In Nigeria the awareness of the role of women in development of a nation came up in 1980's.

In Nigeria, about 51 percent of women are involved in voting during elections, despite these women are still underrepresented in both elective and appointive positions. Available statistics revealed that overall political representation in government of Nigeria is less than 7 percent (Agbalajobi, 2010) this shows that Nigeria has not attained 30 percent affirmation as prescribed by the Beijing platform of action. Nigeria has been recording low participations of women in both elective and appointive positions; this is a growing concern to many Nigerians. However, concerted efforts have been made by government and non-governmental organizations to increase the level of participation of women in politics in line with the declaration made at the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, which advocated 30% affirmative action. However, in Nigeria, the extent of National Gender Policy (NGP) recommended 35% affirmative action instead and sought for a more inclusive representation of women with at least 35% of both elective political and appointive public service positions respectively. The under representation of women in political participation gained root due to patriarchal practice inherent in our society, much of which were obvious from pre-colonial era till date. However, the re-introduction of democratic governance has witnessed once again an increase in women political participation both in elective and appointive offices in Nigeria.

The study of women and low participation in politics in Nigeria needs to be carried out within the context of various personality social, economic and other constraints on the path of women. The major aim which propels the study will be to point out why only few women have been able to attain significant political heights in the country. At the local government, state and federal levels, women have found it difficult to achieve effective participation. After many elections, it is noted that only a few number of women have made it to significant positions, like becoming members of the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is not that women in Nigeria do not aspire to occupy these positions, but a number of constraints have continued to frustrate the efforts made by the women, many women have been chided by the public for daring to aspire to occupy certain position of Head of state and Governor are somehow seen by many of the men as one; which women should not aspire to occupy. Thus, the societal attitude of the men appears to forestall the desire by the women to participate strongly in politics. The few active women participants in politics are often placed under intense pressure, in line with African tradition it is expected to sit over the discussion of important issues; like this. The effect of traditional values still affects women participation in politics in the local areas the demand on time, energy and finance go a long way in determining the degree of participation of women in politics.

Politics as an Endeavour consumes greatly the elements listed above. Women in most cases are lacking in their areas and their level of participation becomes automatically affected in the negative direction. The long hours of meeting that politician demands his successfully undermined the women in most cases. The constitution of the country does not determinate against women over the issue of political participation the same right given to men is also given to women as well i.e., gender equality. At the constitutional level, men and women in the country share the same level of opportunity, the right covers both voting and contesting rights. Several of the women liberation group that have emanated have sought ways of improving on the degree of participation of women in politics, they have accumulated funds with which they sometimes make available in the women participants. Notwithstanding, the fact that most women depend on their husbands for livelihood has made it possible for the men to dominate the women, even in political area/choices, the degree of enlightenment or acquisition of western education has also been a factor that has worked against women participation in politics, quite a good number of women has acquired reasonable degree of western education in the country, yet so many are still lagging behind, these state of affairs have contributed significantly against high level of involvement of women in politics in Nigeria. This work is meant to examine the various factors that have militated against women participation in politics in Nigeria and proffer solutions to the problems.

1.2 Statement of Problem

This research is based on women and low participation in politics; the Nigerian, experience. It is not a hidden fact that women in Nigerian society face marginalization when vying for elective positions, there exists deep rooted social economic, and political inequalities that make it difficult for them to compete favorably. Although the federal government formulated certain policies to get rid of those challenges, there still exist violence against women and political involvement in our polity. In fact every nation should map out ways of improving and ensuring that women fully participate in the act of governance and democracy in other to set a healthy and equitable distribution of resources and development in the nation.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What are the challenges of women participation in Nigeria?

2. What has the government done to get rid of these challenges?

3. What efforts has the women made to prove their chances of political participation?

4. What possibilities can be used to enhance women participation in the Nigerian politics?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this research work focuses on the following;

1. To assess what women have been doing to improve on their level of participation and the strategies to be used.

2 . To examine the impact of the various strategies that the women have adopted so far.

3. To discover and analyze the various factors that has militated against effective participation of women in politics.

4 .To examine the functional relationship between the personality factors and low degree of women participation in politics.

5) To assess the relevance of education on issue of women in politics.

6) To point out whether government have ever tried to prevent/protect the women in terms of deliberate policies that aim at enhancing the degree of participation by the women.

7) To make recommendations on what should be done so that women participation in politics will be enhanced in Nigeria.

1.5 Significance of the Study

It is hoped that this study will be of tremendous benefit to the administration of Nigeria, because it will offer solution to effective management of the Nigerian state and need for women participation in a democratic society like Nigeria, as a nation has invested so much on politics and power distribution, this study is significant because the appropriate officials and authorities representing the government and people of Nigeria will have at their disposal the opportunities to offer women the chances of leadership.

However, the findings of this work is to disclose to women the extent and level of governance at which they could participate and been empowered. If these are revealed, it will help the administrators to make effective use of women in the society, tapping their knowledge and in turn, making them has a sense of belonging and as well to feel that they are part and parcel of Nigeria to which they belong.

1.6 Research Hypothesis

The researcher made the following hypothesis to enable him arrive at the solutions for the present study, the following hypothesis were used;

1) There is significant relationship between one's economic standing and level of political participation.

2) Women have been alienated from politics because of its orientation towards conflict and violence.

3) Low participation of women in politics in Nigeria is as a result of cultural, economic, social and personality variables.

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