Women and Party Politics: A Feminist Theoretical Approach (original) (raw)
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Journal of African elections
This article examines issues of women's involvement in party politics in Nigeria against the background of the 2011 general elections. It explores the influence of patriarchal disposition on women's participation as well as the extent (or otherwise) to which women are respected and accepted as equal stakeholders in democratic politics and party decision-making organs. It shows that the marginalisation of women defies legal and constitutional guarantees and must be tackled simultaneously with patriarchy by the following means: establishing continuous dialogue between women and men leaders, increasing women's participation in local elections, endorsing and entrenching a quota system/mechanism in national and political party constitutions, reviewing electoral systems and adopting those most conducive to women's participation (for example, proportional representation). Political parties should establish legal funds to enable women politicians to challenge electoral malpractices in court.
Gender and Party Politics in Africa with Reference to Nigeria
2012
Gender as a concept and its related issues have been attracting scholars’ interest globally across the different disciplines. Politics, as one of the major pillars that uphold any given society sociologically known as social institution is an act of governance is a very important activity in every society of mankind. In an ideal society, it ensures that all the citizenry are governed in such ways that there is absolute peace, security, orderliness and development in society across board. This will facilitate adequate control of human, natural and economic resources by few conscience and God fearing people (men and women) who are knowledgeable in modern day acts of effective and efficient administration and management for the sake of the generality of people irrespective of their social status. To attain this goal in any society, there is need that both men and women are part of the decision making at all levels of government. This will guarantee, confirm, and certify the representat...
The Role of Women in Politics and in the Sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria
2012
This study examined the role of women in politics and in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. It elicited their challenges, experiences and contributions to the democratic process. Strategies that can assist women realize their political leadership potentials were proffered. Questionnaires were administered on 700 randomly selected female politicians, activists and professionals in government and dominant parties across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Also, interview schedules were conducted with 10 of the randomly selected respondents. Results revealed that women are marginalized and feature minimally in government because Nigeria lacks a legislative framework that secures quotas for women in political parties. Patriarchal attitudes, poor informal networks/mentoring, finance, religion and educational status were found to militate against women’s participation in politics and governance. To overcome these problems, the study recommended amongst others, the development of ...
Women Marginalization in Electoral Politics in Nigeria : A Historical Perspective
Nigerian Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 2014
Global patriarchy has given ascendancy to men in politics, authority and decision-making in and outside the family. Under such a male-centred system without a female face, women lack access to politics and decision-making and are highly under-represented at most levels of government. This paper analyses marginalization of women in decision-making and the challenges encountered by female politicians on their way to political participation in Nigeria. It also, contends that the power relations that have prevented women from political activism operate in many levels of society, from the most personal to the highly public. It argues that the gender uneven electoral politics in Nigeria is as a result of men' majority in the political party hierarchy, which places them at a vantage position to influence party's internal politics in terms of selecting or electing candidates for electrons, and political patronage .The paper notes that socio-cultural, economic, political, organizational, legal and political factors have combined to shape the "home-centred' perception of Nigerian women ,and explains the level of participation of women in political and bureaucratic decisionmaking positions. To reverse the historical under-represented Nigerian women in politics, and decision-making in governance, the paper proposes a triad strategy for women empowerment. First, is a women friendly legal framework in which affirmative action principles are incorporated into the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act. Second, is exhibition of positive role modeling for gender image laundering by the few women in top political and administrative positions .Third, is the advancement of women' agenda and support of party activities as well as funding of women who are actively seeking political offices as a mechanism for addressing the imbalances and injustices against Nigerian women.
GENDER DISPARITIES IN NIGERIAN POLITICS BY AJIGBOTOLUWA EMMANUEL.pdf
ABSTRACT Nigerian women constitute about half of the population of the country and are known to play vital roles as mother, producer, time manager, community organizer and social and political activist. But despite the major roles they play and their population, the society has not given recognition to these and to the fact that they are discriminated against. This is due to some cultural stereotype, abuse of religion, traditional practices and patriarchal societal structures. Nigerian women have therefore over the years become target of violence of diverse form based on their positions in promoting transformative politics. The research methodology is termed qualitative research and with the use of primary and secondary data gathered from questionnaires administered to staff and workers in Owo Local Government Secretariat, university libraries, news print and journals. This paper will therefore examine the theoretical perspective of the discrimination and inequality suffered by women; secondly, access the current status of women in politics and the various efforts made by them for their political empowerment; thirdly, identify problems women face in their quest to participate in politics and lastly suggest possible measures for their political empowerment. Key words: Women’s participation, political empowerment, political process, patriarchy.
2013
This paper is an exploration of the role of women in the Nigerian politics. The inferiority complex of women regarding active political participation and representation constitute the crux of this study. However, it was argued by Karl Marx that the inferiority nature of women generally, was a function of chauvinistic nature of men to perpetuate their domination on them in all ramifications. This gender bias in Nigeria’s political system is often traced to the onset of colonialism in Nigeria. Thus the western cultural notion of colonialism woven around male superiority reflected in their relations with Nigerians. The authors adopted both conceptual and theoretical analysis of issues on political participation and representation, to ascertain how women are generally dominated by men in the scheme of things. The most critical element of this discourse is however that women are, and have been sidelined in the political scheme of things in Nigeria and this state of affairs spells a dange...
Women and Nigerian Politics: An Appraisal of 2015 General Elections
The major thrust of this paper is an appraisal of the dynamics of Nigerian women involvement in politics since the birth of the fourth republic with special reference to the 2015 general elections. Major areas of their involvement in politics that this paper intends to interrogate include participation in elective positions (Presidential, Gubernatorial, National and State Houses of Assembly elections), electioneering processes, campaigns and rallies among others. It argues that in spite of the increasing number of Nigerian women in politics, the country " s politics is still largely dominated by men. The challenges facing the active participation of Nigerian women in politics such as cultural factor, lack of internal democracy among political parties, gender discrimination, lack of fund and so on are also analysed in the paper. The paper concludes that the involvement of women in Nigerian politics in the Fourth Republic has taken a new dimension especially with reference to 2015 general elections. For the first time in the political history of Nigeria in the republic, a major political party in the country (All Progressives Congress) presented a female candidate as a standard bearer for the gubernatorial election in Taraba State. The paper adopts historical, descriptive and empirical methods in its analysis.
2013
This paper is an exploration of the role of women in the Nigerian politics. The inferiority complex of women regarding active political participation and representation constitute the bane of this study. However, it was argued by Karl Marx that the inferiority nature of women generally, was a function of chauvinistic nature of men to perpetuate their domination on them in all ramifications. This gender bias in Nigeria’s political system is often traced to the onset of colonialism in Nigeria. Thus the western cultural notion of colonialism woven around male superiority reflected in their relations with Nigerians. The authors adopted both conceptual and theoretical analysis of issues on political participation and representation, to ascertain how women are generally dominated by men in the scheme of things. The most critical element of this discourse is however that women are, and have been sidelined in the political scheme of things in Nigeria and this state of affairs spells a dange...
GENDER DISPARARITY IN NIGERIA POLITICS: FACTS OR VAGUE
The Erudite Journal of Leadership and Development (EJLD), Volume 4, No. 1, Students' Union, University of Ilorin, 2017
The idea of equal participation of both male and female in politics as generated some degree of concerns from active players in political amphitheater of the Nation. Scholars given the present gender imbalance which appears to be in favour of male folks, have argued that equal women participation in social, political and economic administration of state resources should be given premium position in national discourse. The epicenter of this paper lies on women and their participation in politics. This study investigated factors that affect women's participation in Nigerian politics. This study investigated factors that affect women's participation in Nigerian politics. Among these factors are socioeconomic factors, the country's socio-cultural heritage, historical legacies, religious doctrine and lack of affirmative quota. Findings from the study reveals that the Patriarchal system and male domination of the society, which relegates women to subordinate role, has created women's inferiority complex and alienated them from the mainstream politics in Nigeria. Consequently, the study emphasizes on the need to proffer lasting solution to the problems. Recommendations made includes exposure of women to right education in order to avoid inferiority complex and give aspiring women courage and confidence to compete with the opposite sex. Also, it was suggested that government should consciously enlighten our women on issues regarding policies, plans and programs in public and private sectors. Religious leaders should equally desist from expressly forbidding women from participating in politics rather get sensitized on the importance of equal participation in politics.