ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS: STUDY OF SOME SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Women are said to constitute almost half of the world population but they are not adequately represented in the governance of their societies. This study focused on women participation politics in Nigeria, particularly in Offa, Baruten and Ilorin West Local Government Areas of Kwara State. The time frame for this study is between 1999 to 2015 when the country returned to democratic government and the rule of law is enshrined in the constitution. Thus, despite global campaign for gender equality, women’s political representation in the country has failed to achieve the critical mass of 30% women’s representation in the country’s parliament. The global average representation of women in national politics is 10%; in Nigeria, the figure has hardly ever been more than 4.8%. The research objective is to examine the role and level of women participation in politics since 1999 to 2015.To achieve the stated objective the study adopts both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. The authors found out that illiteracy among women affected their active political participation. We also found out that there is no improvement in women participation in Offa, Baruten and Ilorin west local government. The study thereafter recommended that, there is an urgent need to promote girl child education in Nigeria in order to curb the level of illiteracy among the females. Also, Governments should domesticate, incorporate and implement CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women) policies and programmes that were signed and ratified in June 13, 1985; as it would advance gender equality, including in leadership positions, giving women full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making.