Gender Parity In Nigeria: Examining The Implementation Of National Gender Policy In The National Assembly (2011 – 2019)

ABSTRACT Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) standards, both men and women should have equal rights and opportunities to everything worldwide, most especially to participate fully in all aspects and at all levels of political processes. In Africa, women constitute over half of the population and contribute in vital ways to societal development generally. This study has investigated gender parity in Nigeria: examining the implementation of national gender policy in the national assembly (2011 – 2019). The study adopted qualitative methodology and used secondary sources of data such as journal, articles, papers from past writers, authors and researchers. From the findings, it was revealed that despite the National Gender Policy in Nigeria fails to achieve the critical mass of 30% women’s representation in the National Assembly. The Nigerian socioeconomic factors, political structures,, historical heritages, and, societal norms and beliefs have created a factor militating gender parity main stream in Nigerian politics. The imperative of gender policy to democratic consolidation in Nigeria requires the mainstreaming of gender parity for political development of the nation since democracy is only achievable on the altar of popular participation of every citizen of the society, males and females alike. The study therefore recommends that a political environment supportive of and conducive for women’s participation is a responsibility of the government. Government must curb the culture of electoral violence and the use of political thugs and gangsters to suppress and witch-hunt political opponents in the country.

Key Words: Gender Parity, Gender Equality, Gender Inequality, Women Participation.