Democracy and Women’s Political Participation in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines women’s political participation in democratic process from the return to democratic rule in 1999 in Ogun state, Nigeria. The scope of the study covers three (3) local government areas in the state. Democracy is widely perceived as rule by the majority with the interest of the minority protected; however, women are underrepresented in the political process of the nation. The national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria has remained 6.7 percent (both in elective and appointive positions) as against the global (22.5 percent), Africa Regional (23.4 percent) and West Africa Sub-regional average of 15 percent. The study adopted a survey research method with four research questions as a guide. Data collection instrument comprised both primary and secondary data sources. Oral interview and documentary materials. Findings of the study revealed that many women are willing to participate actively in politics in the state but factors such as marital responsibilities, public perception, occupation, patriarchal practice, financial resources and gender bias among others remain major impediments to women’s political participation in Ogun state. The study, therefore, recommended among others, the need to deliberately design and implement policies that will not only remove daunting obstacles to women’s political participation in the democratic process but also give them the assurance of recognition in decision-making process from elective and appointive positions.