THE IMPACT OF WOMEN PARTICIPATAION IN THE POLITICS OF AKWA IBOM STATE (A CASE STUDY OF URUAN LGA)

ABSTRACT

This study titled “The  impact Of Women Participataion in the politics Of Akwa Ibom State (A Case Study Of Uruan LGA)”. This study was conducted through descriptive analytical survey design by using both quantitative and Qualitative research methods with two parts questionnaire and one part interview schedule for collecting data from the respondents. The study was utilized simple random sampling techniques to select a sample of (40) from a population size of (50). The study utilized frequencies and percentages; tables were used in the presentation of data. In addition to that, data collection was analyzed using themes and explanations while comparing and contrasting the findings with the literature review part of the study. The researcher found that, women have no consideration in politics, leadership and decision making in Nigeria.  The researcher recommends that the government, civil society and women activists need to work towards sensitization and awareness creation among the community to realize the need of the Women to participate in politics and governance. The men need to realize the women’s need for political power and change the way they look at the women and the government should embark on activities which support women’s political initiatives.  The researcher recommends these areas to be further studied including: a study that could analyzes the contribution of civil society organizations in promotion of women political participation and human rights, a study that could assess the policy gaps concerning gender equity in governance and politics for women empowerment and other study could be conducted in the field concerning implication of culture on women’s political participation and decision making.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

• Background

It  has been established that the development of any country requires the participation of both men and women.  There is global recognition that gender equality in political participation is a fundamental aspect of modern democratic governance. It is expected that both men and women should have equal rights and opportunities to participate fully in all aspects and at all levels of political processes (Ikelegbe, 2010). But in practice, women face challenges and the number of women in leadership and decision making positions is abysmally low. Meanwhile, it has been proven that countries with increased women’s participation in politics and leadership position tend to be more inclusive, egalitarian and democratic (Arowosegbe 2014).Over the years women have been relegated to the background in issues of the overall development especially in the developing nations like Nigeria. This is borne out of the sentimental attachment on feminine gender. Historical evidences are available to prove that the Nigerian women have for long been playing crucial role in political life of the country, and this has contributed in no small measure in shaping the political system of the nation. For development of any kind to be successful, a vantage position should be accorded the women, as they constitute larger proportion of the population (Awosanya 2012) In this regard, they should not be left out in the issues of decision making that bothers even on their lives as a people. Today, women are participating more actively in political issues than ever before as a result of political re-awakening and awareness. More often than not, they are besieged with challenges of which discrimination is more rife (ibid). Although, the number of politically active women in Nigeria is still very few, there is no doubt that women have some potentials and rights to contribute meaningfully to the development of their country. Therefore, the Nigerian government should work towards achieving gender equality in democratic governance, increase women participation and access to politics. It must be realized that the role of women as home makers cannot be down played in that it equally has an extended impact on their responsibility in service, the women touch anywhere cannot be matched (Oluwatusin 2010). Against this observation is the basis of the study, to investigate the functions of women and access to empowerment in political parties. The party’s central goal is to win the election and control government, controlling government means that women and men within the party will be selected to represent in both state and national assemblies. Majority of the men more on chauvinistic disposition are preoccupied with the notion that decision making is exclusively for the men folk while women are to be instructed on what to do. This idea of seeing the women playing the number two role at homes has come to play itself out in the political life of the people (Ola & Imhanlahimi, 2010). And this ought not to be so with regards to the ever dynamic nature of things globally as women are now seeing in other communities as avant-garde in developed nations. It is surprising that the same mindset of yester years is still what is obtained in our country. Despite the difficulties faced by women in politics, they continue with their political ambition, contributing enormously to the political and national development in their own way as the challenges militating against them are not present, although Nigeria is yet to have a female president.  Women over the years could be said to have recorded some measure of appreciable political achievement in other political fields of endeavors, meeting their political objectives with limited support and resources at their disposal. In 1957 during the pre-independence era of Nigeria, a couple of women political activists such as, Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, Mrs. Janet Mokelu and Ms. Young were members of the Eastern House of Assembly.  The late Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, though not a full-fledged politician, was a very strong force to reckon with in the politics of the Western Region And Hajia Gambo Sawaba waged a fierce battle for the political and cultural emancipation of women in the North (Adeleke, 2013; Babalola 2018). Hence, one can say that women have always played viable political roles in Nigeria in spite of all the limitations and encumbrances

1.2 Statement of the Problem

A  close observation of the degree of political participation and training of women in Nigeria tend to reveal that women have not been actively involved in the process of sharpening the political system.  This disparity between women and non political participation has been a subject of controversy and debates among scholars, politicians, analysts and stakeholder in Nigeria.

Since 1999 when the present civilian government came into power after a long period of military regime, women politicians in Uruan LGA like their counterparts in other part of the federation have continued to express dismay over the low participation and alienation of women in the politics of the state.

Significantly women apathy and alienation politics has been attributed to some factors such as colonial system of economic and political exclusion of women in the control and management of state, the post colonial system of exclusion, the religions cultural enslavement of women, the contemporary economic deprivation, the educational disempowerment and social discrimination. Based on these premises some fundamental questions become important.

 

1.3 Purpose of the Study

This study intends to explore the impact Of Women participataion in the politics Of Akwa Ibom State (A Case Study Of Uruan LGA).

1.4Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to assess the  impact Of Women participataion in the politics Of Akwa Ibom State (A Case Study Of Uruan LGA). The specific objectives of this study are:

1. To determine the impact of women political participation
2. To determine the level of women’s political participation under the lights of the Nigerian political landscape;
3. To determine how can we empower women for political participation?

1.5 Research Questions of the Study

This study will answer the following questions:

1. What are the resultant impact of women’s political participation in Nigeria?
2. What are the levels of women’s political participation under the lights of the Nigerian political landscape?
3. How can women be empowered for political participation?

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study brings clear insight on role of women in Nigeria politics. The study will be of benefit to women, government and political parties. Finally the research work will be of help to scholars who wish to carry further research on role of women in Nigeria politics as the material of the work will be of great importance for enquiries.

Theoretically, there has been for a general work on Nigeria women especially in the sphere of politics.  This will give an overview of the subject, incorporate and synthesize the various views of women and their effort to emancipate themselves from the social, economic, cultural and political subjugation which they find themselves.  This work will contribute a lot in this aspect.

At the empirical level, women especially those aspiring to political position, will equally be policy makers in general.  It would give them insight into the hindrance (economic, social and culture) to women’s aspirations in the political spheres, and therefore, know how to make legislations, which would encourage their effective participation in politics

 

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers the impact  of women participation in  Nigerian politics. The study was particularly limited to respondents in Uruan LGA, Akwa Ibom State. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) Availability Of Research Material:The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) Time:The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

 

That is why the researcher strategically selected these time frames.

1.8 Definitions of Key Terms

Politics: refers the necessary involvement of power struggle of the state and influence and the way in which power is distributed among the male and female in the process of decisions making.

PoliticalParticipation: refers the active involvement and engagement by individuals both women and men with political process that affect their lives. The act of active engagements includes voting, standing for office, joining of political party or to take part the political campaigns of the political parties and to exert influence in the decision making process through public debate, and dialogue with the representatives they elected or through their capacity to organize themselves; or exercise public power by holding public office at different levels of administrations- local, regional national and international.

Women’sPolitical Participation: refers to women’s ability to participate equally with men, at all stages, and in all aspects of political life and decision making process.

Decision making: refers the ability to stand a given position in two or more matters on the table.

THE IMPACT OF WOMEN PARTICIPATAION IN THE POLITICS OF AKWA IBOM STATE (A CASE STUDY OF URUAN LGA)

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