Women And Political Participation In Nigeria: A Case Study Of Taraba State

Abstract

The low level of participation of women in politics is becoming alarming and disturbing. Hence, hampers women from contributing their quota to the development of Taraba and Nigeria at large. Research has shown Nigerians prefer voting men over women not minding the competency they can bring into governance due to the patriarchal dominant factor in the Nigerian society. The research examines the theoretical perspective of patriarchy and liberal feminism to be able to draw it conclusion on the level of women participation in politics. The aim of the study, therefore, was to find out why women are marginalized and the factors responsible for the low level of women in political participation in Taraba and Nigeria. In achieving this, Documentary research using descriptive and content analysis were generated from secondary data. This study reveals that some women that contested for key political positions were either refused to be voted for by the men or see as weaker folks for governance. In addition, some group of politicians, especially the men, rejected a call for gender equality bill and calling it a means for women empowerment. Most importantly, this study also discovered that Nigerians see religious and cultural beliefs to be more superior to Nigeria’s constitution thereby discouraging women and creating a low level representation of women in government when compared to men. There is need for women to be enlightened on their potentials, study the nation’s constitution thoroughly and avoid intimidation by men on political participation.