Women’s Political Participation in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The study examines the challenges to women's political participation in Nigeria and determines the factors hindering their political participation. International organizations emphasize the importance of women's political participation and its significance to national development. Women still encounter different forms of barriers when participating in Nigerian politics. The study employs qualitative research design and phenomenology as the research method to understand the challenges women face in political participation. Also, the approach aims to allow women to express their lived experience in Nigerian politics. The theoretical frameworks used are feminist theory and African feminism theory. The research question focuses on the barriers to women's participation and the effectiveness of programs to improve women's participation. Four women participants were selected purposively, and the participation criteria were based on their knowledge of the subject of the study. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and triangulated for validity. The findings show that women's political participation is still low, and the barriers hindering their success stem from religion, culture, tradition, and patriarchy, among others. Societal perception also hinders women as they are seen as subordinates and not equal to men. Furthermore, women lack the financial capabilities to pursue political goals. There is a lack of adequate policies from the government directed at improving women's political participation.