GENDER AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA POLITICS

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1.0. Introduction

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1.1. Background of the Study

The issue of gender has attracted a lot of attention and interest in national and international circle. This is at it affects nation development and misconceptions concerning gender roles in polices and decision making. The situations is worse in developing countries of Africa and gradually become worrisome in recent years, especially with the current democratic trend sweeping the global democracy as a system of government demanding the popular will of the people and ensure that available resources are equitable share regardless of sex difference.

These and any condition that stands an obstacle towards the fulfillment of these demands in a democratic system deserves to be re-examined. Thus, the marginalization and subjugation of women observed in all societies, especially Nigeria threatens this realization and have led the United Nation (UN) Human Right Organization (HRO) to engage in concerned action to ensure that women all over are accorded their due right, privilege and opportunities in all countries.

In effect, Nigeria has remained a male dominated society, whose chauvinistic orientation and domineering tendencies have resulted in increase political participation and apathy. This position is rather pathetic history and can never be ignored. It could be recalled that before the advent of western civilization, men and women had complimentary roles to play in the political structure of the country.

Although woman did not have equal access to power and authority with men, because of their child bearing and rearing responsibilities. History shows that the gender structure cum roles in all parts of Nigeria prior to colonialism ensure that the popular will of the people was what subsist in all decision making processes. The implication is that Nigeria traditional perception of leadership or rulership was actually in line with the principles of democracy and authoritarianism.

Unfortunately, the trend of socio-political events since independence has defied all democratic women from the political mainstream. In effect officials of government have lost touch with the public politics in Nigeria are not good oriented and cannot positively contribute to national development. Women are not adequately represented at policy making levels and there is little chance that their interest and needs are given due consideration in the formulation of public policies.

The politics and government are affaire requiring qualities such as intelligence, emotional stability, courage etc and this attributes are God-given and not restricted to any gender, hence in a democratic government. It is expected that all citizens, irrespective of sex should contribute their quota to national development. However, it is still in controvertible that the last half of the (4th) Republic same great improvement in the absolute status of women and in gender equality in most development countries, though gaps still exist in areas of politics and economy.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

The problem which necessitated this study could be viewed from the points that the gender and political participation will be attributing positively to the economy of the country, if harnessed. Thus, gender equality and political participation has always persistently clamored for fairness in what they have termed exploitation without commensurate compensation in the political platform and this prolong the stability of crisis in entire economy as a whole.

Hence, from the foregoing, it is appropriate for political parties to consider gender equality and political participation policy to the fullest capacity in other to promote stable environment so as to meet up with their objectives. Thus, the problem arises. What role could the gender equality and political participation policy as a strategy towards combating the problem of crises in the political participation.

Worse still previewed trends in the current political terrain in Nigeria have brought to force for society to begin to involve more women in policies. Thuggery, murder, intimidation, oppression, colossal lies, money politics, fraud etc, there is the wisdom in reasoning that these vices will be involved in support of this view, odili (2003) writes that women have legislators made valuable contributions and it is a cinch that they hatd not been there, the sometimes high drama might have macabre.

Orji (1997) also in supports “the existing quo where leadership and decision making roles are mostly in the hands of men who are the traditional leaders seem to have failed us. Leading to the suggestion in some quarters that the female gender should assume a more prominent role in the men political order”. Situation where people have negative attitude towards women in public life cannot possibly permit that government makes adequate use of communication sector to impact the necessary change of attitude towards gender equality role. The art of policies on governance are, emotional, stability, courage etc and these attributes are God given and not restricted to any order. If there is any role, how could it be applied and to what extend ensuring reduction of ignorance and promotion of equal access to political representation.

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1.3 Research Questions

The following research questions were considered necessary to enable us realize the main objective of this research work.

1. How can gender equality and political participation in Nigeria be guaranteed?
2. What are the major problems which hinder gender equality and political participation in Nigeria?
3. Can you suggest the consequences of the negligence of gender and political participation towards development?

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1.4 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research work is to prevent the benefit of community relation among the organizations and its lost community; and also

1. To examine the gender equality and political participation and consequence of it negligence in the 4th Republic.
2. This research is been carried out purposely to help institutionase mechanism for effective implementation with particular reference to gender equality and political participation in the country.
3. This research will help us to understand the benefit of gender equality and political participation and how it promote conducive atmosphere for socio-political life of the society
4. Finally, this research will grant us the knowledge how gender equality and political participation can be used to project good economic empowerment.

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1.5 Research Hypothesis

To be able to make the researcher achieve the objectives of the study, the following hypotheses were put forward. Gender equality and political participation in Nigeria can be guaranteed, if women will be given equal rights and opportunities among their opposite sex and to reduce the instigating factors of conflict on gender and political participation in Nigeria will not be guaranteed if women will be given rights and opportunities among their opposite sex.

The major problems which hinder gender equality and political participation in Nigeria result from poor gender and political participation programmes. Also thuggery, murder, intimidation, oppression, money political and polities, fraud, etc were the vices which hinder gender equality and political participation in Nigeria. The hindrance of gender equality and political participation in Nigeria were not result from poor gender and political participation programme.

The consequence of gender and political participation negligence's towards economic empowerment will be disastrous.

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1.6 Significance of the Study

The relevance of this research work lies contributions to gender equality and political participation because it is a vital managerial tool that is indispensable towards maintaining a cordial relationship development. This work will be useful to political parties, politicians and women of civil society in Nigeria.