EFFECTS OF LOW POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ALMOST WOMEN IN NIGERIAN POLITICS

EFFECTS OF LOW POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ALMOST WOMEN IN NIGERIAN POLITICS Introduction Political participation is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance, as it ensures inclusiveness, representation, and accountability. In Nigeria, however, women remain significantly underrepresented in political processes despite constituting nearly half of the population. Women’s participation in politics includes voting, contesting elections, involvement in political parties, policymaking, and holding public office. Unfortunately, female involvement in Nigerian politics remains low due to socio-cultural, economic, religious, and institutional barriers. Low political participation among women has far-reaching implications not only for gender equality but also for national development, democratic stability, and effective governance. This study therefore examines the effects of low political participation among women in Nigerian politics. Concept of Political Participation Political participation refers to the voluntary activities undertaken by citizens to influence political decision-making and governance. According to Verba, Schlozman, and Brady (1995), political participation includes voting, campaigning, attending political meetings, contesting elections, and engaging in policy advocacy. For women, political participation is a pathway to voice gender-specific concerns and influence laws that affect family welfare, education, healthcare, and social justice. Overview of Women’s Political Participation in Nigeria Despite international conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Nigeria’s National Gender Policy (which recommends 35% affirmative action), women’s representation in elective and appointive positions remains very low. Studies show that women occupy less than 10% of legislative seats at the national level (Arowolo & Aluko, 2010). This persistent marginalization highlights structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s political system. Effects of Low Political Participation Among Women in Nigerian Politics 1. Gender Inequality in Governance Low participation of women reinforces gender imbalance in political leadership. When political decisions are dominated by men, women’s perspectives and experiences are often excluded, leading to policies that do not adequately address gender-specific needs such as maternal health, girl-child education, and gender-based violence. 2. Weak Representation of Women’s Interests Women are more likely to advocate for social welfare, education, healthcare, and child development policies. Their absence in decision-making bodies means that these critical issues receive less attention, weakening social development outcomes (Chukwuemeka & Okwara, 2013). 3. Slow Democratic Development Inclusive participation strengthens democracy. Low political participation among women limits pluralism and weakens democratic legitimacy. Agbalajobi (2010) argues that democracy cannot be fully achieved when a significant segment of the population is excluded from governance processes. 4. Poor Policy Formulation and Implementation Women bring unique insights into policy formulation, especially in areas affecting households and communities. Their low participation leads to one-sided policies that may not reflect the realities of the broader population, resulting in ineffective policy outcomes. 5. Economic Underdevelopment Women’s political empowerment is closely linked to economic development. Countries with higher female political participation tend to have better social and economic indicators. In Nigeria, low female participation contributes to poor prioritization of poverty reduction, women empowerment, and social investment programs (World Bank, 2018). 6. Perpetuation of Cultural and Structural Barriers Low participation reinforces patriarchal norms that view politics as a male domain. This discourages younger women from aspiring to leadership roles and sustains cycles of exclusion and marginalization in political spaces. Factors Contributing to Low Political Participation of Women Although the focus is on effects, it is important to note key contributing factors: Cultural and religious beliefs Political violence and intimidation Limited access to finance Low educational and political exposure Party structures that marginalize women These factors collectively suppress women’s political engagement in Nigeria. Conclusion Low political participation among women in Nigerian politics has serious consequences for gender equality, democratic development, policy effectiveness, and national progress. The exclusion of women from political leadership undermines inclusive governance and weakens Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Addressing this challenge requires deliberate policy reforms, enforcement of affirmative action, political education, economic empowerment of women, and the dismantling of socio-cultural barriers that limit women’s political engagement. References (Google Scholar / Academic Journals) Agbalajobi, D. T. (2010). Women’s participation and the political process in Nigeria. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 4(2), 75–82. Arowolo, D., & Aluko, F. (2010). Women and political participation in Nigeria. European Journal of Social Sciences, 14(4), 581–593. Chukwuemeka, E. E. O., & Okwara, O. (2013). Gender inequality and women participation in Nigerian politics. Developing Country Studies, 3(11), 7–15. Verba, S., Schlozman, K. L., & Brady, H. E. (1995). Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism in American Politics. Harvard University Press. World Bank. (2018). Women, Business and the Law. World Bank Publications.