Gender Inequality in Nigerian Governance: A Case Study of the 2015 General Elections

ABSTRACT

The African women cane described as the most endanger species of our world. The culture condition has subjected them to a life of submission, subservient and discrimination against her natural inclination for freedom and self determination. Women are discriminated and their rights violated in many ways. The study attempted to examine the factors responsible for gender inequality in Nigerian governance. Method: the study employed quantitative research approach using survey design. Questionnaire was used to collected data from the target population. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical technique via SPSS. Findings: the result of the study revealed that there was extreme low level of women political participation as compare to male counter-part in 2015 General Elections. The study also found out that, the religious and cultural values, poverty and monetization of politics, masculine model of politics, societal attitude, do or die politics, patriarchal structure of political parties and illiteracy and ignorance are the major factors militating against women active political participation. The study recommended that women political participation can be improve through institutionalization of gender equity, women empowerment, establishment of gender quota system, mass mobilization campaign and gender awareness, legislation and affirmative action (establishment of gender policy) 

Contents

CHAPTER ONE. 2

INTRODUCTION.. 2

1.1 Background to the Study. 2

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem.. 4

1.3 Research Questions. 4

1.4 Research Aims and Objectives. 5

1.5 Research Assumptions. 5

1.6 Significance of the Study. 5

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study. 6

1.8 Research Methodology. 6

1.9 Definition of Keys Terms and Concepts. 6

1.10 Chapterization. 7

CHAPTER TWO.. 8

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK. 8

2.1 INTRODUCTION:8

2.2 CONCEPT OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.. 8

2.3 CONCEPT OF WOMEN.. 9

2.4 FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST ACTIVE WOMEN POLITCAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIAN IN GENERAL AND TUDUN-WADA WARD IN PARTICULAR.9

2.4.1. ECOLOGICAL FACTOR:10

2.4.2 CULTURAL FACTOR:11

2.4.3 POLITICAL VIOLENCE:12

2.4.4 WOMEN’S PERCEPTION OF POLITICS:12

2.4.5 GOVERNMENT POLICIES:12

2.4.6 ILLITERACY OR LOW LEVEL OF EDUCATION:13

2.4.7 RELIGIOUS FACTOR:13

2.4.9 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR. 14

2.4.9 HISTORICAL LEGACIES. 15

2.5 WOMEN IN POLITICS AND DECISION MAKING IN NIGERIA: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE. 15

2.7 THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE PROMOTION OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA   20

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:22

2.8 PATRIARCHY THEORY:22

CHAPTER THREE. 24

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY. 24

3.1 Introduction:24

3.2         Area/Location of the Study. 24

3.3 Sources of Data Collection. 25

3.4 Technique of Data Collection and Instrumentation. 26

3.5 Population of the Study Area. 26

3.6 Sampling Technique and sample size. 27

3.7         Method of Data Analysis. 28

CHAPTER FOUR. 29

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS. 29

4.1         Introduction. 29

4.2         Analysis of Collected Data. 29

4.3 Testing and Verification of Research Assumptions. 47

I. Political apathy is the main factor responsible for the low level of women’s active participation in politics in Tudun-Wada Ward of Gombe Local Government Area.47

II. Poverty and the lack of financial support is the main factor responsible for low level of women political participation in Tudun-Wada Ward of Gombe Local Government Area. 48

III. The dominant religious and cultural values of the people are the main factors militating against active women political participation in Tudun-Wada ward of Gombe Local Government Area. 48

4.4 Discussion of the Major Findings:49