Federalism: Gender and Leadership in Nigeria (1999-2015): The Nigerian Experience

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.