Federalism: Gender and Leadership in Nigeria (1999-2015): The Nigerian Experience
Main Article Content
Abstract
This paper examined the challenges and prospects of women participating significantly in politics and also contesting for political positions, and how it affects the welfare of women. The political arena is plagued with gender inequalities; the gap in female gender representation in political systems is therefore worrisome. Despite legislative breakthrough, the female gender remains vastly underrepresented in policy- making structures. This inequality is seen in female gender representation in the democratic government since 1999. The role women play during electioneering campaigns and voting demands that they take part significantly in policy making in Nigeria as their male counterparts. Equal representation in policy-making structures is far from being realized owing to few women participating in politics and seeking electoral positions. A key cornerstone is the integration of gender quality into the governance structures. The paper adopted the descriptive method of research, drawing data mainly from secondary sources. The data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Major findings included amongst others: the characteristics of womanhood, women are not interested in politics owing to the violent nature of politics, women are financially handicapped as politics demands heavy expenditures- from purchase of nomination form to campaign in elections. Major recommendations were as follows: women
participating in politics in large numbers; women should come together to form organizations
and empower themselves financially; women should accept and vote women who contest in
elections; and cultural and religious barriers should be dismantled and in our patriarchal society, men should accept women as equals and not looking down on them as their property.
Downloads
Article Details
References
Adedotun, E. (2010), Women and Participation in Nigeria: the Imperative of Empowerment.
Akpan, N. (2015), Men without women: An analysis of the 2015 General Election in Nigeria. In an unpublished research paper by Elleh,
Oyoboy Edman Awofeso and Odeyemi (2014), Gender and Political participation in Nigeria: a “Cultural Perspective. Conference Paper”.
Christine, M. C. (2013), The Effect of Federalism on Women’s Political Representation: A case Study of German Federalism. University of Central Florida.
Chukwu, U. (2013). Female Representation in Nigeria: The Case of the 2011 General Elections and The Fallacy of 35% Affirmative Action; Res, Humanities and social Sci. 3 (2): 39-49.
Connell, R. W. (1987). Gender and Power: society, The Person and Sexual Politics: New York, Rout Ledge.
Connell, R. W. (1995). Masculinities: Berkeley: University of California Press.
Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities (2nd ed.) Berkeley, California: University of California Press.
Enyinade, A. (2010). Women and Political Participation in Nigeria: The imperative of empowerment (www: africanexecutive.com). Friedman, B. (En.m.wikipedia.org).
Heywood, A. (2007), Politics, New York: Palgrave McMillan.
Izugbara, C. O. (2003), “Contemporary Gender Studies; Roots, Approaches and Future Director” in Ekpe, A. E. and Akpan, O. (Eds.) Readings in Int. Pol. Economy, Yaounde, Cameroon: Book House.
Jill, C. (2016) “Women and Federalism Presented at Global Autonomy and Federalism” (GAGF) Conference held on 19 – 20 October, 2016 at Manila Philistines.
Kiefer, O. (1934), Sexual Life in Ancient Rome, London Rutlege and Kegan Paul.
Luka, R. C. (2011) “Women and Political Participation in Nigeria: The Imperatives of Empowerment” Journal of Social Sciences and Public Policy Vol. 3: 24-37.
Marilley, Suzanne (1996). Women's Suffrage and the Origins of Liberal Feminism in the United States: 1820-1920.
Cambridge, MA: Harvard. Milbrath, I. (1965). Participation: How and why do people Get Involved in Politics? Chicago: Rand McNally Publishing Company.
Murdock, G. P. (1949). Social Structure: New York; Macmillan.
National Democratic Institute (2012). “Final Report on the 2011 Nigerian General Elections. N.d.
Nettesheim, M. (2003). Democracy Through Federalism. A Publication of the European Center for Research on Federalism Vol. 24(1), pp.255.
Ngara, C. O. (2013), Women in Politics and Decision-Making in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects: Journal of Business and Social Sciences 72 (8), 47 – 58.
Oakley, A. (1974), Sex, Gender and Society; London; Maurice Temple Smiths. Quota Project 2003 & 2013.
Orgi, N. (2003) State and Emergency of Women Political Leaders in Nigeria. Reflections of Constraints and Opportunities. Okigwe. Alvan Global Publications. Quota Project, (2003 and 2013).
Saxena, R. (2017), Gendering Federalism in India. Canada Forum of Federalism. Forumeforumted.org.
Shvedova, N. (2008), Women in Parliament: Obstacles to Women’ Participation. Stockholm: International IDEA.
Soetan, R. O. (2014) “Economics of Inequality: globalization, Gender and Development in Nigeria”, Being the 264th Inaugural Lecture Series Obafemi Awolowo University, Illeife, Nigeria.
Stafford, W. (2004),„Is Mill‟s Liberal Feminism Masculinist? Journal of Political Ideologies 9:159-79
TaraElla. (2017): Liberal Revival Now: A Moral and Practical Case for a 21st Century Backto-Basics Liberalism. The Holy Bible, King James Version. Publishers? The Quran. Publishers? The Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in September, 1997. Tong, Rosemarie. 1989. Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Oxon, United Kingdom: Unwin Human Ltd. Chapter 1.
Udokang, J. C. And Awofeso O. (2012), Political Ideas: An Introduction, Lagos, Nigeria: MacGrace Publ.
Umoh, E. D. (2010). 50 years of Male Dominance in Public Administration and Financial Management in Nigeria; Uyo; Doran Publishers.
Umoh, E. D. (2016). Research Conducted on why the insignificant number of women in politics paper presented on************* Supply
Weiner, M. (1971), “Political Participation: Crisis of the political Process” in Binder, L. et al (eds), Crisis and Sequences in Political Development, Princeton: Princeton University Press. www.africanexecutive.com. www.amazoncastle.comfeminism/ecocult.shtml.