CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background to the Study
The involvement of women in politics differs across the world and their participation in politics and the democratic process has turn out to be an essential part of modern-day discussion on development and governance, (Agbalaobi, 2017). Despite the call for women’s political empowerment by international organizations such as the UN, Beijing Conference, etc, study consistently shows that in many parts of the world women still hang back on the fringes of political affairs and their participation in government structures and the democratic process remains low, (Vissandjee et al, 2017). There has been growing debate by scholars as regards the role of women in politics internationally and this has generated serious controversies than resolving the perceived gender inequalities in terms of participation in Nigeria politics, (Oyediran, & Isiugo-Abanihe, 2016; Muhammed, 2016). Quite a lot of arguments have aroused about the place of women in politics in the past years. Arowolo and Aluko (2015) argued that, the actual role of women and in fact, female folks generally ends in the kitchen, the liberalists (Yetunde, 2013; Agbalajobi, 2017 and Erunke, 2016) have variously opined that women’s political process as those of their male counterparts, and hence, such responsibilities cannot be washed away in the societal scheme of things.
In Nigeria, although women constitute 50percent of the population and 51percent of voters in elections, still they do not enjoy their full political rights as their male counterparts, (Ofong, 2015). Available data revealed that, women’s overall political representation in government is less than 15percent, (Agbalajobi, 2017). In addition, women have not still attained the recommended 30percent seats in government as prescribed by the Beijing Platform of Action to which Nigeria subscribes. It was not until 1979 that women in Northern Nigeria had the permission to exercise their voting rights. This connotes that, they could not contest for political positions nor participate in choosing their political leaders until 1979, (Baobab, 2014). It was only in the 1950s that women in the Southern Nigeria were given the right to vote. It did not happen in the north and despite the activism of a woman like Gambo Sawaba she could not vote or be voted. As a result, there was no vent for her activism as she could not represent women through any political platform like her contemporaries in the west and east, (Awe, 2018)
The participation of women in governance at each level can be seen as an index of the level of democracy since women often represent over half of the population of most countries of the world, (Adeleke, 2015). Over the past few years, the issues with regards to gender inequality have resulted into a universal attention with the result that the problems that restricts or affects women progress are currently being addressed concretely, (Nwankwo, 2016; Ojo, 2016), which has increased the political awareness and consciousness of women. In Nigeria, women struggles can be traced 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 as well fought to give women the pride of place in Nigeria’s history, (Allen, 2018). Even after the battle for Nigeria’s independence was over and Nigeria became an independent sovereign nation, women continued to contribute their quota towards development and progress in the country, (Ajayi, 2017).
Generally speaking, and from modern-day perspectives in Nigeria, it would appear that women had never been influential in the realm of Nigerian politics. In the past, and even in the present democratic dispensation, there has been and there is still some fair share of recognition of the increasing role of women in the Nigerian society, be they social, economic or political, (Ajayi, 2017). At present, although the right to democratic governance is an entitlement conferred upon all citizens by law, implying that there is no legal exclusion of women from governance in Nigeria; other barriers still impede their full participation, such as low level of education, cultural, religion, etc., (Awe, 2018). The increased involvement of women in the democratic process is essential to broadening and deepening the Nigerian government’s commitment to democratic governance which by definition allows for diversity and participation of different groups. Therefore, women can only make meaningful impact after they have reached the critical mass needed.
In the 4th Republic which started on May 29, 1999 the Nigerian political terrain had witnessed a growing in the number of women political appointees as few women have emerged as Chairpersons of Local Government Councils. Lagos State produced a female Deputy Governor in the person of Senator Bucknor Akerele. In the Senate, there were three (3) women namely Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ita Giwa representing Cross-River State, South Senatorial District; Mrs. Stella Omu from Delta State and Hajia Khairat Abdul-Rasaq representing the FCT. Twelve (12) women in the House of Representatives; Barrister Iquo Minimah, Mrs. Patience Ogodo, Lola Abiola Edewor, Patience O. Etteh, Dorcas Odurinrin, J.F. Adeyemi, Binta Garba Kosi, Gbenni Saraki, Florence Aya, Linda Ikpeazu, Temi Harrinnan and Mercy Almona Isei. In the Executive Councils, Former President Obansanjo also appointed a number of women in the Federal Executive Council.
In the past administration eight (8) women occupy strategic ministerial posts, they are; Prof. Dora Akunyili (Min. for Information), Mrs. Felicia Njeze (Min. of State), Mrs. Dlazani Madueke (Defence), Mrs. Agata Jerry (Transport), Mrs. Aishatu Dikku (Min. of State), Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre (Science and Technology), Fatima Ibrahim (Min. of State of Energy and Power) and Mrs. Bingudu (Min. of women Affairs). From the foregoing it is clear that there has been an increase in the number of positions occupied by women in Nigerian political affairs, a far cry from what persisted in the 1950s.
Due to the low number of women participation of politics, women couldn’t greatly influence the course of government policies, (Ajayi, 2017), as their peculiar needs and interests couldn’t be adequately projected as they had few advocates in policy institutions. As a result, a number of policies and programmes adopted by Federal and State governments to improve sustainable human development were and are sometimes gender insensitive, (Agablaobi, 2017).
1.2. Statement of Problem
Over the years, there has been escalating debates over the participation of women in politics in Nigeria. Women are perceived to be the foundation upon which a nation is built in all spheres for social, economic and political development. The participation of female in politics should be encouraged and promoted as a result of the extensive roles they played in the development of state of affairs.
Anifowose (2016) observed that, women participation in politics are been affected by a number of factors which are; the gender stereotype or discrimination, social or environmental norms; low level of education, lack of political orientation, male dominance, and the likes (Erunke, 2016), which have ignored their significant impacts and have placed them in a more inferior position to men in the Nigerian political system. It is noteworthy that despite the challenges mentioned above, the level of women participation has been very remarkable; although, there also seems to be a palpable fear that if women were to become dominant in the political sphere, gender relations will be ruined, thereby posing a threat to national stability, (Aiyede, 2015).
Corroborating the above, Falola and Fwatshak (2018) affirmed that, there is an underlying fear that women will no longer be under control of men. For instance, with the gender barriers broken through appointment of women to major positions in government, only eight women were voted into the Senate of 109 senators and 24 out of 360 members of the House of Representatives. No female governor has ever been elected in our history.
The denial of women to participate in politics may deny them of the political benefits and their leadership potential may not properly harness. These and a number of other potent factors are the disadvantages of the refusal of women who fail to take part in the political process. Therefore, it is against this backdrop that this study attempts to explore gender inequality and women participation in Nigeria politics, a case study of National Assembly (2015-2020).
1.3. Research Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to investigate gender inequality and women participation in Nigerian Politics, using National Assembly (2015-2020). However, the specific objectives of the study will be to:
- examine the effects on gender inequality on women participation in politics in Nigeria
- assess the factors limiting women participation in politics in Nigeria;
- identify the factors contributing to women participation in politics in Nigeria
- develop strategies that can help women realize their leadership potentials in Nigeria politics.
1.4. Research Questions
To achieve the objectives of the study, the research sought to answer the following questions:
- Is there any effect of gender inequality on women participation in politics in Nigeria?
- What are the factors affecting women participation in politics in Nigeria?
- Are there any factors contributing to women participation in politics in Nigeria?
- How can women discover their leadership potentials in Nigerian politics?
1.5. Significance of the Study
It is hoped that, the findings of this study would orientate the women individuals on the need to partake in politics. This will increase their leadership role in the society. Women individuals needed to be represented in the political affair of their locality in order for their voices to be heard.
Besides, the result of this study would provide platform for additional debate on the need for female to become either governor or President of Nigeria. Debate on women participation in politics is an endless one especially among women. As a result, this study aims to lengthen such debate in a bid to recognize the role of women in the political process.
In addition, it is believed that the findings of this study would educate government at all levels on the need to ensure gender balance in the distribution of political power.
Furthermore, it is hoped that the finding of this study would educate the mass media on the need to increase their awareness campaign on the role of women in politics.
Finally, the outcome of this study would be of immense help to other researchers on gender and politics.
1.6. Scope of the Study
This study examined gender inequality and women participation in Nigeria, using National Assembly. The study variables will be restricted in the area of gender inequality and women participation, while the study area will be limited to National Assembly. The timeframe for the study is for a period of 5years which ranges from 2015-2020.
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
Gender: is better understood as a product of the way a particular society views and analyses the relationship between male and female, which again are determined by a number of factors, especially, the cultural values of that society
Party Politics: is an organized group of individuals who have the same ideology, or who otherwise have the same political positions, and who held candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement their agenda.
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.
Role: The degree to which somebody/something is involved in a situation or an activity and the effect that they have on it.
1.9. Synopsis 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 entails the factors contributing to women participation in politics in Nigeria. Chapter four entails the empirical findings to the research questions. Chapter five provides a summary of the study, conclusion and recommendations.
