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The Myth and Reality of Womens' Political Marginalization in Nigeria
The Myth and Reality of Womens' Political Marginalization in Nigeria
The Myth and Reality of Womens' Political Marginalization in Nigeria
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ABSTRACT: Women represent 50% of the Nigerian Population, but in spite of this, their level of political
participation and representation is very poor, being largely noticed at the level of voting and latent support.
Men are found to have dominated the political arena to the point of total exclusion of women, yet all groups
(women inclusive) seek to influence dispensation of power. The research therefore sets out to analytically x-ray
the issues and challenges surrounding the political marginalization of women in the society. The research
implores the use of empirical data to make sound and logical arguments on the plight of women in the political
sphere of the polity. Using variables such as religion cum cultural belief system, virility deficiency syndrome,
lack of adequate finance, lack of effective means of implementing the affirmative action and so forth, the
researchers conclude that women marginalization in the political cum economic domain is in fact a reality and
not a myth. It therefore recommends amongst other things that, it is imperative to develop and enhance the
capability of women in the political and economic terrain by uplifting them financially and morally, so as to
drastically reduce if not totally eradicate arm-twisting or marginalization of women in the society.
INTRODUCTION
The role of women in national development need not be over emphasized. The United Nations declaration that
the full and complete development of any country requires the maximum participation of women in all fields has
proven to be a catalyst to the prominence women development has come to acquire in recent times. World
governments, international agencies, non-government organization and other key policy makers have all
stressed the need for women to adequately participate in the politics, in the economy, government and overall
growth of the countries. Even in traditional societies where women are accorded domestic recognition, women
had at one time or the other taken time out to engage in activities relevant to the stability and continuous
existence of their various communities. Women had also exhibited appreciable managerial and organizational
skills in their roles as mothers, homemakers, character molders and sustainers of humanity. Their supportive
roles through engagement in pottery, weaving, spinning and other socio-economic activities were indispensable
to the existence of their families and societies by extension. Chinsman (2005) summarizes the role of women
thus: women constitute the foundation of any society. History testifies to the proves of women like; Nigerias
Queen Amina of Zaria, Emotan of Benin, Indira Ghandi of India, Gold meir of Israel Benazir Bhutto of
Pakistan, Margret Thatcher of Britain just to mention a few. These skills and ability have grown astronomically
in recent times given the improved educational and employment opportunities. Nigerian politics is
predominately politics of men, men dominate the political arena, men formulate the rules of the political game
and men define the standard for evaluation. Political life is based on male norms and values and in some cases
even male lifestyle. Women are marginal to national and state politics, and more generally, to the public and
private life of our nation. Women are not considered as equal partners in the homes to be allowed to make or
share decision with their male counterparts in the family. This gender discrimination against women has been
extended to public life where women experience marginalization even in the electoral process, according to
McClosky (2010), Political participation implies those voluntary activities by which members of a society
share in the selection of rulers and directly or indirectly in the foundation of public policy, Political Parties, in
this liberal tradition, reflects a condition which entails the voluntary involvement of the citizens in the choice of
their leaders and in the policy formulation and implementation process of their society.
This affords the people a sense of belonging and a say in how they are governed. Therefore, the concept of
political participation either in the liberal or Marxian tradition, frowns at any attempt, whether writing or
unwritten to exclude any segment of the society on the basis of sex, religion or any other socio-economic
variables. Nigerian women have been involved in Nigerian politics mainly as voters, after which they retire to
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From the foregoing, it is evident that only very few Nigerian women have participated and emerged in Nigerias
political landscape, in spite of the pioneering efforts of women like Funmilayo Ramsome Kuti and Magaret
Ekpo. Till date the number of women in top jobs is still insignificant as at the 2011 election.
The Political Marginalization of Women in the Nigerian Political System
Twelves years of democracy in Africas most populous nation and women are still secondary in Nigerias male
dominated political sphere. Over the years gradual gains have been made in womens political participation but
female political participation needs to go beyond numbers. The proportion of seats held by women in the
national parliament increased from 3.1 percent in 2000 to 7.5 percent in 2008. After the 10 th May 2007 General
election, data from the (National Center for women development; 2010) showed that there were 9 female
senators compared to 4 in 2003, also there were 26 female members in the house of Representatives, compared
to 23 in 2003. Between 2006 and 2009, 2 women were appointed to the Supreme Court bench, while female
Deputy Governors increased from 2 in 2003 to 6 in 2007.
Despite these improvements, women are still under-represented at most levels of government and have made
little progress in attaining positions at decision-making levels. Data from April 2007 elections shows that high
level of female marginalization in Nigeria politics. For examples, of the 7160 candidates that contested in April
2007 elections, only 628 were women; 25 candidates vied for the office of the President and only 1 woman,
while 5 women contested for the office of the vice president, also, only 9 of the 109 senators were women, while
25 of the 360 House of Representative members were women and there were only 54 female member of the
state Assemblies. In 2011 General Election 0% of women were elected into the office of the president, in the
senate out of 109 Senators only 7 (representing 6.4%) of women were elected into the senate. In the House of
Representatives out of 360, only 26 of them were women (representing 7.2%) of the total). In Governorship seat
no woman was elected as a governor, while only 1 deputy governor was elected representing (0.09%) while in
the state House of Assemblies out of 990, only 68 (representing 6.9%) were women. (National Center for
women development; 2010) Looking at 2011 presidential election, Sarah Jubril was the only female amongst the
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Men
90
575
% of women
1.0
2.4
% of men
99
97.6
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Women
3
4
9
% of men
97.2
96.3
91.7
% of women
2.8
3.7
8.3
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% of women
3.6%
6%
70%
Assembly
Women
Men
% of women
% of men
12
39
54
966
912
9
97.2
96.3
91.7
2.8
3.7
8.3
Men
765
8667
% of women
1.2
1.6
The April 2011 elections in Nigeria led to election of 32 women to the National Assembly, a shortfall from 2007
performance which does not reflect the considerable resources put in by women groups, CSOs, and donor
agencies in addressing the barriers to womens participation as candidates in elections. The position of womens
participation in the executive arm of government is alarming, no woman president and no woman governor from
1980 to 2011. The best women have enjoyed so far is four deputy governors in 2011 April elections. Although
there is a slight enjoyment for equal participation in civil and political liberties that democracy avails them. The
marginalization of different kinds women have suffered in Nigeria over time has undoubtedly deterred them
from taking a big shot in the public/political realm. In fact the situation of women in Nigeria is precarious and
this cannot be divorced from various practices which have limited them from realizing their potentials.
Sidelining Women in Electoral Process and Party Politics
In spite of the guarantee of equality in convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against
women and other treaties which Nigeria is a signatory, there are glaring inequalities at all level of decision
making. The limited participation of women in the political sphere which is glaring since post-independence in
Nigeria is due to a number of factors such as; the socio-cultural determinants, this established womens domain
in the private sphere. In the words of Oby Nwanko: Women were discouraged from seeking political offices by
discriminatory attitudes and practices, family and child care responsibilities, and the high cost of seeking and
holding public office, socialization and negative stereotype, reinforcing the tendency for political decision
making to remain the domain of men (Nwanko, 2009:60). Oluchi Ikemefuna adds: Women in Nigeria face a lot
of odds when they contest with men. The parties often want those who can match violence than women
(Leadership Sunday Editorial, 2010:4).
Thus, the gender specific unevenness of electoral politics manifests itself in the following forms:
The persisting Social resistance and / or lukewarm acceptance of womens participation in political
leadership. This is in spite of the spectacular performance of the few women who held sway as heads of
ministries and parastatals in the dispensation.
Culture of electoral violence that tends to be harsher towards female than male candidates:
Feminization of poverty that renders women more financially constrained to manage a campaign than
men.
Lack of Adequate political socialization for leadership that manifests itself in womens exclusion from
access to strategic political information and general inability in the art of public oratory and populist
campaign and;
Women marginalization in mainstream political party hierarchy and hence inability to shape rules of
engagement (especially) at the nomination stage, which are defined and organized around male norms
and values (Nzomo 2003; Nwankwo 2009: 63).
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b.
c.
d.
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ii.
opportunities, facilities, skill acquisition and position of authority, especially within the political
sphere this recent development accord women the opportunity to develop their individual talent
and contribute more meaningfully to societal development, helping subvert cultural as well as the
societal norms which have been of disadvantage to the women folk. Forum of Nigerian women in
politics (FONWP) is an example, whose central objective is to promote women employment and
eradication of all forms of violence and discrimination against women. It supports women in
decision making in both public and private. The group organizes seminars on empowerment and
inequality among other things. It is influential in its agenda, it requested that government should
yield to 30% female representation in government appointment, made several attempts to increase
official awareness on gender issues in public policies and conduct of workshops for women who
aspire to run for public office.
Action of UN and other International Organizations:
The principles, policies and actions towards ending gender inequality in Nigerian Politics have
been advanced and undertaken with the influence of international organizations by both
government and non-governmental organization. On its part, the United Nations (UN) has fostered
several Declaration and conventions aimed at ending all forms of political marginalization among
women.
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Nigeria is a signatory to the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against
women (CEDAW). Therefore CEDAW recommendation as contained in its Article 1-16 should be
implement immediately by Nigerian government. This will expunge the conflicting and discriminatory
provisions in Nigeria statutory, customary and perpetuate patriarchal system in Nigeria.
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Education of women is useful to destroy inferiority complex and to give aspiring women courage and
confidence to compete with men. Women education should target the adult population both in the cities
and rural areas.
Economic empowerment strategies such as loan scheme with minimal interest rate should be made
available for women particularly in the grassroots to enable them embark on small and medium scale
business enterprise. Commercial and microfinance banks should be mandated to remove the stringent
regulations that make loans inaccessible to women.
Lastly the creation of a political environment supportive of and conducive for womens participation is
a responsibility of the Nigerian government. Government must curb the culture of electoral violence
and the use of political thugs and gangsters to suppress and witch-hunt political opponents in the
country.
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