Women and Political Participation in selected Local Government areas of Kwara State Nigeria, 1999-2015
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Date
2018-12-10
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Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Abstract
Women are said to have almost half of the world population but they are not adequately represented in the governance. This study therefore focused on women and political participation in Nigeria with specific reference to Offa, Baruten and Ilorin West Local Government Areas of Kwara State, with the aim of determining the impact of socio-cultural and economic influence on women political participation, To achieve the stated objectives the study adopts both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. The study found out that most women in the selected local government do not see themselves capable enough to hold political positions as a result of low self-esteem, lack of courage, zeal and inferiority complex. The study also found out that, the perception of the society about women politicians also contributes to low women political participation. As the society generally regard women politicians as irresponsible. Also, the study revealed that, finance is another fundamental factor contributing to the low women political participation because, the political terrain of Nigeria is structured into money politics, that even the fellow women cannot support women political aspirants without money. It thereafter recommend that, there is an urgent need Government should embark on mass campaigns for awareness and sensitization for the need of women to get involved in politics. This will help in eroding the erroneous believe that women in politics are irresponsible and adulterous. Also, the national assembly should ensure that the issue of money politics and vote buying is criminalize in the ongoing electoral reforms and so on.