PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN NIGERIA: FACTORS AND CONSTRAINTS
By
Jones M. Jaja, Ph.D Senior Lecturer Institute of Foundation Studies Rivers State University of Science and Technology P. M. B. 5080, Port Harcourt Email:
[email protected] Tel: 08033168998; 08056049778
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Abstract
Politics is an interesting vocation, interesting in the light of the characters, their background, the language used and method utilized to achieve prominence. Interestingly, there has been a continued dearth of the female sex in this visible profession. There is no doubt that women of character and achievement abound in all parts of Nigeria to participate in National building but majority of them shy away from politics. This paper examines factors and constraints militating against more women participating in politics and profer the way forward to enable the nation tap the knowledge and potentials of this all important group in the socio-econ engineering of Nigeria.
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PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN NIGERIA: FACTORS AND CONSTRAINTS Introduction It is now widely acknowledged that Nigerian women are grossly under-represented in politics, in government, and indeed in all spheres of human development activities. It is also noted that the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Laws guarantee the right of political participation to all Nigerians, irrespective of sex. Moreover, the electoral laws empower women who feel discriminated against on the basis of sex to seek redress in the law courts. Nigerian women should therefore be able to participate fully in politics. Politics is a game of numbers and women constitute about 50% of the country’s population. Evidence abound that Nigerian women in both pre-colonial and colonial era contributed in the economic and political life of the country (Dauda 2004:84). There is overwhelming evidence today to prove that women constitute an oppressed, exploited, marginalized and under-privileged group in Nigeria and in third world countries. Woman are therefore, powerless in our developmental spheres including politics. In the Second Republic Legislature, women had only O7% representation. Educationally, women are at a disadvantage when compared with men. Evidence available indicate that women’s political participation is still very low in Nigeria. Participation rate is below 4% in political positions (see table 1). We shall now examine constraints against women’s participation in governance.
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Table 1: Gender and Politics/Decision-making Political Positions – 1999 Positions
Male
Female
Total
% Female
Ministers/Special Advisers
35
9
44
20.5
Speakers
35
1
36
2.7
Governors
36
-
36
0
Deputy Governors
35
1
36
2.7
Local Government Council Chairman
765
9
774
1.2
Councilors
8,667
143
8,810
1.6
State Assembly Members
978
12
990
1.2
Senators
106
3
109
2.8
House of Representatives Members
347
13
360
3.6
Source: UNIFEM (2000) Status of Nigerian Women and Men – A Statistical Profile (Ed) Nwankwo, Nkechi Eke.
Women’s Participation in Governance: Constraints A number of factors have contributed to the decline in women’s participation in public and economic affairs. First is lack of government supportive and definite laws which could encourage women to participate in politics. As a vulnerable but a vital force in the country’s political landscape, women deserve some governmental encouragement and incentives to enable them to compete with men for political positions. It is therefore regretted that the good intentions of the law makers who prepared the constitution have not been translated into concrete terms by the Federal Government. As far back as 1987 the Political Bureau Report (1987) recommendation that: “Full involvement of women in politics is one method of defending and promoting women’s interest in society. They can participate fully if they are members of the legislative and executive arms of government. For this reason, we recommend the allocation of 5% of the legislative seats to women in all the three tiers of government. This 5% of the legislative seats allocated to women is to be filled by nomination through the political parties”. 4
As long as women are not adequately or equitably represented as members of the legislative and executive arms of government, women’s interest in politics will continue to suffer. To encourage women to fully participate in politics, the electoral law which insists on Federal Character in appointive political positions ought to have made specific mention of female representation. Proper Education Another crucial source of ineptitude of women in politics is poor education. Women must be properly groomed through education for professional, technical and artistic competence to be able to compete successfully with political opponents. These educational qualities are central to meaningful political participation. Many Nigerian women fall short in their educational attainments, and politics makes very great demands on the participants (Jaja 2008). Man is a political animal and politics, being the science of government, is a grim battle for political dominance and supremacy. Modern politics calls for open debates, exposition of party manifestoes and ideologies, this heavily favours the educated. If women are to compete with men on equal footing, they must equip themselves educationally for the great combat to increase their versatility to cope with the new demands of politics. Women’s traditional role of wife and mother, is a full time job. It is the best educationally that can dabble in politics without jeopardizing their traditional role. Politics for women must be seen as additional, not alternative role. It must be stressed that although fathers have a duty to contribute towards the upbringing of children, motherhood and the care and nurture of Nigeria’s future leaders right from the cradle is women’s greatest contribution to mankind’s great march to advance technology and development.
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Economic Factor Another important source of ineptitude of women in politics arises from economic factor. Every undertaking in politics involves money, and women need to meet the requirements of INEC and political parties. Campaign strategies and execution, dissemination of information, logistics and the mobilization of the masses are all issues involving huge financial disbursements which majority of our women can ill afford. Although women perform about 52% of all agricultural work in Nigeria, much of the work is for subsistence, the products being for family consumption. The income or revenue desirable is rather negligible.
Gender Inequality in Education Education is the basis for the full promotion and improvement of women. The United Nations (1995) posits that education is the basic tool that should be given to women in order to fulfill their role as members of society. The nationalists saw education as the instrument to enlighten the masses for democratic participation in national politics (Yesufu, 1996:137). Fewer Nigerian women have access to education than men. Female education lags behind than that of males in many respects. Evidence available show that female enrolment rates at the tertiary level of formal education remain below those of male; girls are fewer in the science, technology and mathematics. Available data reveal that total female enrolment in tertiary institutions has consistently increased however, it still falls short of the 50 percent poverty expected. An examination of the enrolment into the tertiary level by discipline indicates a sharp inequality as at 1997. In Agricultural Science, 22.26 percent of the enhulment are women. The enrolment for women are highest in Pharmacy, Science and Medicine where they form 25.95, 2658 and 22.98 percent while the
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enrolment rates for Engineering and Environmental Studies are the lowest of all the disciplines (FOS, 1997:35). Poverty Poverty appears to be a plague that affects 70% of women in Nigeria, a recent EQS (1999) report, (1980-1996), observed that the female-headed households are overrepresented among the poor. Lack of access to economic opportunity and productive resources have been largely responsible for the growing incidence of poverty among women. (Jaja 2008f) Extensive poverty and ignorance which manifest in various forms, such as illiteracy, ill health, malnutrition, destitution and high level of discrimination in the labour force act as a major barrier to active participation of women in politics. This unequal economic status directly translates into unequal social relations for the women within economy. The result is that many women in the urban and rural areas are powerless not only in politics but also in many other economic activities.
Religion and Restricted Social Participation Religion and culture or traditionalism have greatly contributed to women’s ineptitude in politics. There are in Nigerian and indeed in all societies throughout the world some traditional beliefs and cultures which discriminate against women in public affairs. In these societies emphasis is on women’s roles of breeding and bringing up children. This emphasis on the natural role of women is over-emphasized. Religion has been adjudged as one of the universal factors in the development of individuals and nations. However, misinterpretation of religious doctrines has militated against women’s involvement in powersharing in many communities. Women, particularly Muslim women in Purdah, are unable to actively participate in communal activities. In
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extreme cases, they are secluded from participating in group activities, until they have reached an advanced age. (Olawoye, 2001). Patrilineal society presupposes male domination and subsequent subjugation of women to their husbands, and men folk generally. This hinders women’s emancipation and development. Yolah (1986), noted that socio-cultural background relegates women as nothing more than appendages to their husbands and, as such, women’s views should not be heard. Those cultures that practice early marriage for women do not allow women to get mature enough to be able to participate in public affairs. Some women are put into pariah and are thus prevented from participating fully in public life. Evidence have shown that such discriminating social practices impede the participation of women in politics. Dearth of Economic Infrastructure Economic infrastructure can be defined as the amount of physical and financial capital embodied in roads, railways, waterways, airways and other forms of transportation and communication plus water supplies, financial institutions, electricity and public services such as health and education (Todara, 1997). The level of infrastructural development in a country is crucial to determining the pace and diversity of economic development (Jaja 2007e). Inaccessibility to basic infrastructural facilities is one of the major obstacles to women’s empowerment and integration into the economy (Jaja 2008f). Inadequate potable water, sanitation, and health facilities, leave a lot of women vulnerable to terminal diseases. Evidence available indicate that only 18.5 percent of households in Nigeria had access to pipe-borne water in 1982 and in 1990, the access percentage 24.7 (FOS, 1996, p.47). It should be noted that, in spite of the increase, the situation
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still leaves much to be desired. The percentage of Nigerians with access to sanitation was 5 percent in 1985. The number of people having access to water-closet system declined from 18.0 percent in 1989/1990 to 14.6 in 1991/92 in the urban centres and from 3.0 to 1.5 percent in the semi-urban centres during the same period (FOS, 1996). These have negatively affected women involvement in economic activities as well as hindered their participation in politics. Thus despite the mobilization of Directorate for social Mobilization (MAMSER), the Women’s Commission and the National Council of Women’s Societies had embarked upon to get the Women Politically Emancipated, Nigeria was not be able to produce a Women Political Leader even in 2007. MAMSER thoroughly mobilized women and even liaised with the Women Commission and the National Council of Women’s societies in its mobilization efforts. The only benefit accruing from such mobilization was the mass turn out of women to vote for men. Male Chauvinism Some men insist that their wives and close relations, vote along their party lines. (Jaja 2008f). Such uncompromising attitudes of men constitute another source of constraint for women in politics, it is time men changed their chauvinistic attitude and accept women as their partners in progress.
Climate of Nigerian Politics Another source of limitation/hindrance is the thuggery and violent nature of Nigerian politics. Majority of them who live in rural areas, have genuine fear for the Nigerian type of politics. We note the kind of politics that existed in the First and Second Republics during the period, politics was characterized by thuggery, violence, arson and even murder. The
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atmosphere was hostile to free movement and there was no respect for law and order. It was common then for homes and villages to be abandoned (Jaja 2008). Women therefore regard politics as men’s exclusive game too dangerous for them to participate in. It is true that politics is a tedious business but there are women who are tough enough to participate in politics and excel. Such women can cope with the rigours of electioneering campaigns and long nocturnal political meetings which cannot be divorced from politics. However, women are more comfortable with appointive positions as commissioners, head of boards or even ministerial positions.
Women are their own Enemy Women’s unco-operative attitude towards themselves at public meetings and politics is another problem. They are difficult to organize and often refuse to support and co-operate with fellow women. They gossip a lot, and can be petty. Things that ordinarily would not be an issue could degenerate or escalate into something that would destroy the organization. Women are sometimes said to be women’s own enemies, Socialization or sex role stereotyping is a major factor that shape female participation in politics. Through this process, women are made to believe that politics is not for them. Girls are made to associate with the immediate environment while boys with the wider environments. Solutions and Actions Required Attempt by the Nigerian government to address issues relating to women’s political participation were made within the policy framework of the National Policy on Women. The policy is aimed at ensuring the following.
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• Effective enforcement of the principles and provisions in the Nigerian constitution. • Improving awareness of citizens’ constitutional and human rights in order to remove all constraints militating against the attainment of social justice and equity in the society. • Eliminating all forms of discrimination against women. • Empowering
women
through
strategic
human
resource
development. • Integrating gender sensitivity in all programmes at all levels of government. • Establishing
an
effective
Gender
and
Development
(GAD)
management structure and ensuring the efficient implementation by all sectors, with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development supervising. Very little have been done towards achieving these objectives. A number of reasons can help explain this development; weak political will; relative lack of holistic approach to issues; and unstable polity. Noting the peculiarities of the Nigerian situation, it is important to state that the achievement of the objectives depends largely on the collaboration of all stakeholders, particularly, the state, the Non governmental organizations, the international communities, and both men and women. We therefore, suggest a comprehensive approach towards enhancing the capacity of women for participation in politics. i)
Enhancing Women’s Economic Empowerment This paper notes, that, until women are economically empowered
and their status uplifted, the idea of active participation in politics will be a mirage. Efforts to facilitate women’s participation in politics must include:
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• Adequate provision of economic infrastructural facilities in places with a large concentration of women. • Increased access to micro-credit to encourage women small-scale entrepreneurs. Studies have also shown that women-targeting can be a remarkable option for integrating women into the decision-making process, be it political, economic or social. ii)
Improving the Human Capital of the Marginalized Woman The 1995 United Nations Report stresses the importance of
education in raising women’s status. Government priorities should be directed at bridging the education gender gap, especially by encouraging vocational education and training, while scholarships should be granted to the very poor. iii)
Adoption of Flexible Statutory Laws There is the need to adjust the laws to ensure women are
adequately represented in decision-making at all levels. iv)
Through Effective Enlightenment/Awareness Programme The media must be on the vanguard of enlightenment campaign to
educate both men and women to gradually change their attitudes and raise their level of cultural awareness, particularly in the areas of gender relationships. Both men and women need to be re-orientated in matters of gender and womanhood. The media can set the agenda by focusing on those concrete issues capable of mobilizing women to raise their status, self-esteem, self- respect, and empower them so that they too will be inspired to pick up the gauntlet to fight for women’s cause. In particular, the media must beam their searchlight on those cultural and traditional practices that are detrimental to womanhood and the 12
advancement of women. Furthermore, the media can expose and campaign for the removal of existing sexist discriminatory laws affecting women’s status and subsequent advancement. The media will require knowledge in advocacy journalism to assist in settling the agenda and bringing issues to the front-burner.
Conclusion An attempt has been made to identify some factors responsible for the ineptitude of women in politics. Even in 2011 with the so much talked about 34% affirmative policy. The situation did not change as the figures in table 2 indicates. Position
Male
Female Total
Ministers
26
8
34
Advisers
20
-
20
Speakers
35
1
36
Governors
36
-
36
Deputy Governors
32
4
36
Local Govt. Council Chairmen
765
9
774
102
7
109
% tem
Councilors State Assembly Members Sectors House of Representatives Source: Inec Ph. Office. They include lack of government incentives for women to easily participate in politics, male dominance, lack of adequate education for women to appreciate why, how, and when women should participate in politics, traditional practices and some cultural taboos which militate
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against women participation in male-dominated public affairs, religious considerations which prevent women from taking part in outdoor activities and women’s negative attitude towards group organizations. Women should embrace life long education and should not merely acquire education once and for all, but learn how to build up a continually evolving body of knowledge all through life so as to be well equipped for full political participation. We have also shown that the ineptitude of women is inherent in womanhood since it is their lot to perpetuate the human race. Also identified is the religious constraint imposed on worn en by some religions. There is no special provision for women’s representation at any level. Thus women’s representation is left to the whims and caprices of their more aggressive male counterparts. This should not be so since women slightly out-number men in Nigeria. Until women are economically empowered and their status uplifted, the idea of participation in governance and development will be a mirage.
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