ABSTRACT
This study examined prospects and challenges of participation of women in politics.
The secondary data was used to reflect the purpose of the study, content analysis was used to elicit data from texts, journals, magazines, past project relating to this study, archives, publications of research work and internets.
The findings were revealed; the quotas and proportional representation is also a strategy which has been positive in granting quotas allocation for women to assist in the promotion of gender balance.; women level of participation in politics is witnessing a significant increase.; the following factors that are limiting women political participation in Nigeria, which are; the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society, lack of resources, education, cultural factors such as wrong perception of women in politics, political factors such as political violence, inequality in the political arena, and political godfatherism.; the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be reviewed so as to encourage more women participation in politics, and to implement policies that will punish offenders of women discrimination in politics.; policymakers should ensure the formulation of policies that will bring about the empowerment of women and promote gender equality.; job creation or work opportunities can help create more empowerment for women.
The study concludes that Women political participation in Lagos State and Nigeria in general has turned out to be an issue of great importance, simply because of the great roles women have played as mothers, home makers, producer, social and political activists, and community leaders, etc. The study further recommends that; the National Assembly as a matter of state policy should implement Affirmative Action involving the reservation of 30% elective posts for women on the basis of quota system between competing candidates; “Godfathers” should be extended to women political aspirants in relation to sponsorship; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should ensure that, the rights of women are in place and to ensure that the discrimination of women in the society be prohibited; government should create an enabling environment that allows for women to engage in decision making process in a sustainable and effective way free from political harassments and violence; policy makers should formulate policies that will enhance women empowerment and bring about gender equality in all spheres of public affairs; government and other agencies should ensure there are work opportunities for female in the society in order to bring about women empowerment, and to promote organizational equality.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1. Background of the Study
There has been increasing debate among scholars with regards to the prospects and challenges of women participation in politics across the world. This debate has generated serious controversies globally rather than resolving the perceived gender inequalities in terms of women participation in politics of developed or developing countries, (Adebayo, 2019). In addition, the plight of woman is a despicable one as it is clearly acknowledged and incorporated into different sectors, organizations, institutions and programs either formal or informal. Women constitute a critical segment of the world’s population, (Adewole, 2018).
Under 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 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 activists. 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, (Kolawole, Adeigbe, Adebayo, & Abubakar, 2013). 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, (Kolawale, et al, 2013). In Nigeria the awareness about the role of women in development of a nation came up in 1980s. The International Conference on women in Beijing in 1995 enhanced the effective participation of women in politics in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, women struggles in political participation date back to the 19th century when women like Amina of Zaria fought her way to political limelight, Madam Tinubu of Lagos, Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti of Abeokuta, Margaret Ekpo and Hajji Gabon Sawaba among others have also fought to give women the pride of place in Nigeria’s history, (Awe, 2018). Even after the struggle for independence was over and Nigeria became an independent sovereign nation, women continued to contribute their quota towards development and progress in the country, (Allen, 2018). In the areas of political development, the above mentioned among others, contributed immensely to the mobilization and sensitization of women with a view to ensuring that women are involved in the development of the country, (Anifowose, 2019). Given the relative precarious economic position of most women in Nigeria, they have taken up various kinds of informal livelihood and survival strategies to make ends meet. This development has brought into focus the increasing role of women who hitherto have been burdened with heavy household responsibilities and other activities in the informal sector so as to augment and alleviate poverty in their homes, (Akpan, 2015).
In Lagos State, although women play crucial role in campaigning and mobilizing support for the individual parties, it is however rare to find them where power belongs. Where women are to be relegated at the back, religion, tradition and beliefs are brought into solidify the society’s ground for treating women as “second” class citizens. Despite the many female organizations that have been established for the sole purpose of fighting for women’s rights, it is still impossible for the women to acquire up to five percent (5%) position in policy making institution in Lagos State. The establishment of a number of industries such as soap making industry, cream making industry, shoe making industry, and others, can testify to the policy initiatives of women in the state. Women in Lagos State are good at mobilization and formation of cooperative societies and these are run effectively. In Nigeria, about 51 percent of women are involved in voting during elections. Despite these, women are still under represented in both elective and appointive positions. Available statistics revealed that overall political representation in government of Nigeria is less than 7percent, (Agbalajobi, 2017). This shows that Nigeria has not attained 30 percent affirmative as prescribed by the Beijing Platform of Action.
Nigeria has been recording low participation of women in both elective and appointive positions this is a growing concern to many Nigerians, (Okoronkwo-Chukwu, 2015). 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 extant 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, (Mohammed & Zaid, 2014). The under representation of women in political participation gained root due to the patriarchal practice inherent in our society, much of which were obvious from pre-colonial era till date, (Ngara, & Ayabam, 2016). 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
Moreover, in any political scene, the principal objective of political participation is interest. Again political participation has as its micro analysis centers on individual behaviour. Both men and women exhibit political behaviour, although highly seen in men. However, women’s participation in political activities at Lagos State, Nigeria and the world in general is still very low. The political participation here includes not only right to vote and actual voting, but as well as the candidacy, election and appointment of women at all levels of government and within the party structures.
Therefore, based on the above backdrop, this study will seek to examine the prospects and challenges of participation of women in politics in Ikeja local government of area of Lagos State.
1.2. Statement of Problem
Over the years, there has been raging debates over the participation of women in politics particularly in Lagos State. Female is regarded as the bedrock upon which a nation is built in all spheres for social, economic and political development. The participation of women in politics most particularly in Lagos State should be encouraged and promoted due to the extensive roles being played by women in the development of state of affairs, despite that fact, what is seen in Lagos State has been a male dominated affair.
However, it has been observed that the participation of women in politics in Lagos State are been affected by some factors which includes; culture or social norms (that is, some cultures do not permit women to participate in politics, owing to the fact that, they are regarded as weaker sexes and as such, their responsibilities should be restricted in their various households), gender discrimination, social factor, and many others, which have neglected their meaningful contributions and have placed them in a subordinate position to men in the nation’s political system.
Despite the constitutional declaration of the equal status of both sexes in most countries of the world, gender discrimination remains fully entrenched in the power configuration of the society, with consequences of limiting women’s participation in the political process. Furthermore, it has been observed that, fellow women supporters do not always tend to support their female candidate in any political post; rather they always give their support to the men individuals.
The political enfranchisement of women in politics in Lagos State seems to have maintained on the surface a level of gender inequity politically, mainly because it is assumed that constitutionally there are not barriers to women’s participation. However, what exactly is/are the challenges and prospects women encounter in their quest to participate in politics? This study is aimed at evaluating the prospects and challenges of the participation of women in politics by examining the factors responsible for increase in women participation and those that hamper women participation.
Based on the above, this study will seek to examine the prospects and challenges of the participation of women in politics in Ikeja local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria.
1.3. Research Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to assess the prospects and challenges of women participation in politics in Ikeja local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria. However, the specific objectives will be to;
- examine the prospect of women participation in politics in Lagos State
- find out the challenges of women participation in politics in Lagos State
- identify the factors militating against women participation in politics in Lagos State
- determine the possible strategies that will enhance women participation in politics in Lagos State
1.4. Research Questions
Based on the above objectives, the following research questions will be posed.
- What are the prospects of women participation in politics in Lagos State?
- What are the challenges of women participation in politics in Lagos State?
- What are the factors militating against women participation in politics in Lagos State?
- What are the possible strategies that will enhance women participation in politics in Lagos State?
1.5. Significance of the Study
The study will examine the prospects and challenges of participation of women in politics in Ikeja local government area of Lagos State. This study will draw the attention of the discrimination that the women do feel as they seek to develop a society or country politically. It recommendations will therefore provide raw material for a policy review vis-à-vis women participation and role in the involvement of political development.
This study would equally be useful to all sphere of the country in ensuring greater roles of women in both political and economic development of an area. The study will provide policy makers with institutional frameworks and policy inputs in the area of policy formulation in regard to policy formulation that will aid the participation of women in politics in Nigeria. The research will as well expose to government and varying female politician’s tools that hitherto can catapult them into leadership positions.
The research will add to knowledge in the peculiar nature of women in politics in Lagos State, Nigeria. Finally, researchers interested in examining women and their quest for political participation will find the study very useful in the governance and system of Nigeria.
1.6. Scope of the Study
This research aims to focus specifically on the prospects and challenges of women participation in politics in Ikeja Local Government area of Lagos State, Nigeria. The study area will be limited to Ikeja, Lagos State. The choice of Ikeja, Lagos State was because of its political structure which isn’t much in the favour of female participation in politics. Therefore, the choice of Ikeja, Lagos State is to unravel the factors limiting the participation of female in politics of the state.
1.7. Methodology of the Study
The methodology of this study will be qualitative in nature using primary and secondary sources of information. The primary source shall entail interview while the secondary sources shall be through journals, reports, articles, newspapers, treaties, textbooks and various statutes which would be obtained from online sources. The issue under discussion is a global menace which cuts across all the countries of the world, there have been so many literatures on the subject matter across the globe, this shall be referred to in discussing the topic at hand.
1.8. Operational Definition of Terms
Economy development: refers to the process whereby simple, low-income national economies are transformed into modern industrial economies.
National Development: refers to the ability of a nation to improve the lives of its citizens. Some of the measures are increase in gross domestic product, improving literacy rates, improving medical facilities, and increase in infrastructural development and per-capital income.
Women: Refers to the female gender, the opposite of male gender.
Participation: Participation is the involvement of citizens in some way with making decisions in political system.
1.9. Chapterization of the Study
This study is organized into five main chapters. Chapter one entails the background, statement of problems, research objectives, research questions and hypotheses, and significance and scope of the study. Chapter two consists of the literature review that reveals the findings and research that already exists on the topic. Chapter three discusses the methodology of the study. The discussion of the results after analysis of the findings and comparison to the information revealed within the literature review is conducted within Chapter four. Chapter five provides a summary of the study, its limitations and further recommendations.
