Feminism And The Role Of Women Participation In Nigeria Politics Fourth Republic (A Case Study Of Ojo Local Government)

Feminism And The Role Of Women Participation In Nigeria Politics Fourth Republic (A Case Study Of Ojo Local Government)
Abstract
In this modern age of development, political inequality between men and women has always been an important issue of concern. This is so because of the realization that the marginalization of a segment, race or particular sex in the society has far – reaching implications on the development of that society. Nigerian society and perhaps many countries in Africa seem to have a tenacious tradition of inequality in different facets of life. With the understanding that there is a growing tradition of political inequality against women, Nigeria adopted some gender discriminatory strategies that sought to protect women from cultural practices that demeaned and made them second class citizens no matter their background or social orientation. This is to restore confidence in women and encourage them to participate in all fields of human activity for a better human and material development. But despite the adoption of quota system, affirmative action, and gender development communication campaigns, some societies in Nigeria have shown little sign of progress especially in the area of women participation in politics. The purpose of this study is to assess feminism and the role of women participation in Nigeria politics fourth republic. The study also attempted to examine some socio-cultural practices that discourage women participation in politics and also suggest some strategies that could enhance women political participation in the area under study. The data collected were analyzed and they have shown that, communication practices that exist in the area of study do not always address the established cultural practices that have adversely discouraged or off-put women from participating in politics. It was also gathered from the study that, rather than religion and other cultural practices, the major problems of inadequate participation of women in politics are in the content and medium or pattern of communication which is patriarchal and akin to the vertical and mass media kind of communication.
Table of Content
- Title Page
- Certification
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Content
- List of Tables
- Abstract
Chapter One:
Introduction
- 1.1 Background of the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Problem
- 1.3 Objective of the Study
- 1.4 Research Questions
- 1.5 Research Hypothesis
- 1.6 Significance of the Study
- 1.7 Scope of the Study
- 1.8 Limitation of the Study
- 1.9 Definition of Terms
- 1.10 Organisations of the Study
Chapter Two:
Review of Literature
- 2.1 Conceptual Framework
- 2.2 Theoretical Framework
- 2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three:
Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research Design
- 3.2 Population of the Study
- 3.3 Sample Size Determination
- 3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
- 3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Validity of the Study
- 3.9 Reliability of the Study
- 3.10 Ethical Consideration
Chapter Four:
Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Data Presentation
- 4.2 Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Answering Research Questions
- 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
Chapter Five:
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
- 5.1 Summary
- 5.2 Conclusion
- 5.3 Recommendation
- References
- APPENDIX
- QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Nigeria returned to full-fledged democracy in 1999 after recording 16 years of military dictatorship in the country. The periodic election has become part and parcel of the features of the Nigerian democratic dispensation after every four years. There is no doubt that the constitution does not place any restriction on any candidate based on gender as Nigeria practices universal adult suffrage where adults from eighteen years of age can vote and be voted for irrespective of gender. The issue of women in politics has dominated the political debate since Nigeria gained its independence in 1960. Samuel and Segun (2012) observed that in the first republic, Nigeria only have four female lawmakers in the entire country and this negligible number failed to give Nigerian women the kind of representation that is required to enable them to influence the political space like their male counterpart as this makes it difficult for women to be part of the decision-making process. Luka (2012) has noted that the second republic and third republic recorded little progress concerning women’s participation in politics and decision-making. He further observed that before 1999, the proportion of seats occupied by women never exceeded 3.1% and 5% for the national parliament and federal Executive council respectively (Luka, 2012).
Women find it challenging to participate in democratic politics due to the widespread issue of gender inequality. In world politics, very few women have ever attained the highest echelons of political office. Gender inequality has been a fundamental problem that women have encountered in the political sphere around the world. There are few opportunities for women to participate in politics in Nigeria, which has a patriarchal society (Ojo, 2013). The political parochialism of Nigerian society discouraged women from participating in politics, and the adversarial imbalance has continued to rage their political flourish. The patriarchal system of traditional and sociopolitical systems denigrates the role of women in politics and called for male dominance in Nigerian democratic politics. Women are completely excluded from democratic politics in Nigeria because of the nature, customs, traditions, and cultural backgrounds of the political nomenclature, which completely limits their ability to survive in politics. In Nigerian political situations, women are consistently viewed as second-class citizens in all of their numerous spheres (Ojo, 2013).
Nigerian women have roughly the lowest participation in the national legislature, with 5.9%, when compared to the bulk of other African countries, including Uganda (34.6%), South Africa (43.2%), Ethiopia (27.7%), Cameroon (20%), Niger (12.3%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (8.0%). (18 May 2012, Daily Times). Nigerian women in particular have not attained that level of political participation. Women’s participation in governance in Nigeria remains incredibly low, ranking last in the world at barely 7% (Onyegbula, 2013). Women’s participation in politics in Nigeria over time has not precisely been positive. The political situation in the nation is extremely active. Every day, more people declare their desire to run for office in the general election. Similarly to this, Ehanire- Danjuma (2005) said that the low representation of women in political and decision- making structures is a result of the lack of recognition of the fact that the gender component of democracy makes the democratic process inclusive (Ojo, 2013). Nigeria’s political and decision-making representation of women is still well below the global norm of 35% affirmative action (Ngara, 2013). This for the most part accounted for the marginalization of women in public affairs and the exclusion of their interests in governance.
The absence of women from party politics has a huge negative impact on Nigeria’s political and electoral process. Their marginalization has hindered women’s contributions, involvement, and influence in party politics and the Nigerian political system. Nigerian women first experienced marginalization in party politics and the political process during the colonial era. Erunke and Abdul (2013) correctly stated that “this gender bias in Nigeria’s political system is often tied to the beginning of colonialism in Nigeria.” Thus, their encounters with Nigeria strengthened the colonialism-based western cultural paradigm that is based on the superiority of men (Erunke & Abdul, 2013). Due to the exclusion of women from party politics in Nigeria, gender issues have also recently come to the attention of professionals in the field. This research paper adopted liberal feminist theory to analyze women in party politics and its impact on the political process to address the marginalization of women by their male counterparts concerning the appointment, selection, and election into various political posts in Nigeria.
In other words, individuals or people who meet the criteria for selection need to vie or obtain this political power through electoral process or appointment before they can exercise it. Men and women who are qualified can participate in the election process; both sexes can vote and be voted for during election; unfortunately men are favoured more than their women counterparts. This is simply because men dominate the political arena, they formulate the rules of political game and they define or detect the standards for evaluation; and this male dominance results in women either rejecting male political fashion or rejecting politics altogether (Shvedova, 2005 and Parawansa, n.d). studies have shown that women with disabilities show determination and recognize the importance of accessing leadership positions to achieve greater impact unfortunately women around the world at every socio- political level are poorly represented in parliament and are far removed from decision-making levels. Research has shown that women with disabilities are not only marginalized socio economically but also politically. They face the challenge of not only being discriminated against on the ground of being a woman but also being disabled and this greatly limits their capacity to exercise their political rights (Schur, 2003; Handicap international, 2003) )Women who want to enter politics find out that the political, cultural, public and social environment is very unfriendly or sometime hostile to them. The reason is that most African countries, Nigeria inclusive are unable to conduct credible elections and this is as a result of “long period of military rule and weak democratic processes which have led to the emergence of a political system characterized by discrimination, electoral violence, monetized politics, low political accountability, abuse and personalization of power, general apathy towards elections and low participation of critical segments of the society especially women” (Afolabi, 2010:1). Also, historical analysis of the constitutions and electoral laws and processes in Nigeria are not gender sensitive, even a critical look at the current composition of political decision makers/ policy makers in any region shows evidence that women still face numerous hindrances in participating in political arena (Shvedova, 2005).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
To buttress the issue of under-representation of women in politics, Afolabi (2010) states that from available statistics/records women’s overall political representation and participation in government is less than 7% and the records of Nigeria electoral system shows that 2003 and 2007 elections witnessed unimagined increase in the number of women candidates and increased local mobilization of the majority of women, but at the end very few made it. For instance, out of 339 candidates for House of Representatives, 318 (94%) were men and 21 (6%) women; of 109 Senate, 105 (96.3%) were men while 4 (3.7%) were women and none for governor (100%) and president (100%). Again in 2007 -2011 elections out of 990 Houses of Assembly 936 (94.5%) were men and 54 (5.5%) were women; of 358 Houses of Representatives, 333 (93%) were men while 25 (7%) were women; of 109 Senate 100 (91.7%) were men and 9 (8.3%) were women; none for governor and president (United Nations Committee on Elimination of all Forms of Violence against Women, 2008).
This low participation of women in politics may be as a result of some socio-cultural, political, socio-economic, ideological and psychological factors which include: gender and cultural patterns, ideology, pre- determined social roles assigned to women, male dominance and control, limited access to education and illiteracy, poverty and unemployment, lack of confidence in other women, lack of access to information, conflicting demands on time of women candidates among others (Afolabi, 2010; Shvedva, 2005; Prarawansa and Inter-Parliamentary Union, 1999). The marginalization and low participation of women ran through all the political parties. For instance, the cultural tradition which supports patriarchy in most African societies upholds that men should be considered first in all human endeavours because women are looked at as second class citizens therefore should be under men’s control. Women are relegated to the background and are placed in subordinate positions in the family and the society at large. Men assume leadership positions in the family and take major decisions in the family even at the detriment of women; due to this subjugation, many girls and women are not educated so as not question the authority of men because women education ends in the kitchen as men usually say. Also this culture of patriarchy is a very strong determinant of male dominance over female and as a result men will sit back in the family to keep the family name and lineage growing while women will be married out. Thus men are being trained for leadership activities while women are confined to domestic activities; roles ascribed to them by culture which affect them later in life, thereby making them to lose self confident/worth and have low self- esteem in their career in adult life, politics inclusive. However, in politics, the manifestoes of the parties reveal the inclusion of gender provisions which exists only in theory and not in practice. For instance, “the articles of PDP and APGA titled ‘the character of the party’ and ‘the policy of women’ have it that the parties shall be a non tribal, non religious and non sexist democratic organizations (Afolabi, 2010:3) ; it shall promote the emancipation of women by encouraging their representation at all levels devoid of gender discrimination and shall emphasize more on the need to work in accordance with the Beijing declarations and promote gender parity and more inclusive democracy (Moghadam, 1993). But none of the parties abide by the rules guiding the parties on election matters with regard to women’s participation.
To make matters worse, a measure introduced by Senator Biodun Olujimi in 2016 that aimed to domesticate and include these instruments was voted down on second reading by both Chambers of the National Assembly (Eniola, 2018 cited in Okechukwu, 2022). In addition, the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 stipulates that to serve in the National Assembly, a person must be chosen by a political party in that party’s primary election. Political parties are significant institutions in representative democracies, as stated by Pierre, Warren, and Brand (2014) since they support candidates in elections. Researchers frequently ignore the role of party politics in preserving gender disparity in Nigeria’s politics because they frequently concentrate on patriarchal, cultural, and religious factors as well as economic and educational factors that contribute to low women representation in representative democracy in Nigeria.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective of the study is a Critical Study Of feminism and the role of women participation in Nigeria politics fourth republic .
Specifically, the Study Sought to
- Find out the socio-cultural factors that hinder women’s participation in politics.
- Identify strategies for enhancing or improving women’s participation in politics
1.4 Research Questions
- What are the socio-cultural factors that hinder women’s participation in politics?
- What are the strategies for enhancing women’s participation in politics?
1.5 Hypothesis of the Study
- Ho: There are no socio-cultural factors that hinder women’s participation in politics.
- Hi: There are socio-cultural factors that hinder women’s participation in politics.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It has been observed that since before the creation of what came to be known as Nigeria today and with the attainment of independence; women were completely abandoned and lagged behind in the affairs of governance in all levels. Most gender studies tend to concentrate on men and their contributions thereby relegating women to the background. Women roles are subordinated which that of men is recognized.
This research is significant because it will bring to light information obscured from public knowledge about women and politics in Lagos State. It will also show how women played their roles effectively to support the state and the nation at large.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This is a research into feminism and the role of women participation in nigeria politics fourth republic (a case study of ojo local government). One of the reasons for dating this work 1999 – May, 2023, it coincided with the Fourth Republic which marked a turning point in women political participation. The period witnessed an increase in women’s participation in active politics. The limitations could be associated with time, resources (finance), the research was carried out at the same time attending my lectures. Also there are few materials (literatures) that were written on the topic under consideration. In addition, difficulties in conducting interviews as some informants were not ready or not willing to grant an interview.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:
Just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data
- Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant materials and in printing and collation of questionnaires
- Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher
1.9 Operational Definition of Terms
Analysis:
Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.
Hindrances:
A thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone.
Political Participation:
A broad range of activities through which people develop and express their opinions on the world and how it is governed, and try to take part in and shape the decisions that affect their lives.
1.10 Organization of the Study
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.
- Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
- Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
- Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
- Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
- Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:
5.1 Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on feminism and the role of women participation in Nigeria politics fourth republic using Ojo local Government as case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
5.2 Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was on feminism and the role of women participation in Nigeria politics fourth republic using Ojo local Government as case study. The study is was specifically focused on finding out the socio-cultural factors that hinder women’s participation in politics and identifying strategies for enhancing or improving women’s participation in politics.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 370 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are Residents of Ojo Local Government.
5.3 Conclusions
Politics is an institutionalized system by which a nation distributes power and scare resources of the society; which allows both men and women to vote and be voted for during the electoral processes. Unfortunately, the manners in which these political powers are acquired and distributed make women to be poorly represented in all political activities. Women undoubtedly play very significant roles in the family and national development and as such need to be given the opportunity to participate effectively in political activities in order to contribute their quota to leadership and national development. This could only be achieved through creating enabling or conducive political environment devoid of gender discrimination and all kinds of electoral violence or abuse; without which national development will be incomplete.
The findings of this study implied that for women to participate fully in political activities, implementation and utilization of the strategies enumerated in this study will promote and enhance women’s participation in political activities.
5.4 Recommendation
The following recommendations are made:
- There is need for government to introduce a formal quota system with enforcement mechanisms to increase the number of women members of the legislature irrespective of any form of disability.
- There is the need for government and the political parties to introduce political, institutional and financial guarantees that promote women’s candidacies to ensure the equal participation of female nominees in electoral campaigns.
- The government and the political parties should create or establish educational programmes and centres designed to prepare women for political careers.
- There is also the need for women empowerment through providing access to formal education and vocational training (skill acquisition centres) for poverty reduction to enable them to participate in political activities and national development.

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