Gender, Party Politics, and Women’s Participation in the All Progressive Congress.

Abstract of Gender, Party Politics, and Women’s Participation in the All Progressive Congress.

This study examined gender, party politics and women participation in the All Progressive Congress in Nigeria.

it was found that, there has always been partiality and prejudice against women individuals in all societies and in all areas of life.; the following are the identified factors limiting women participation, which are; godfatherism, discriminatory socio-cultural and religious practices, lack of finance, the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society, and the unhealthy political environment among others.; women empowerment programs like Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics (FONWIP) is a good example, whose central objective is to promote women empowerment and eradication of all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

The study concluded that; Women political participation in Nigeria has turned out to be an issue of great importance, simply because of the great roles women have played as mothers, home makers, producer, social and political activists, and community leaders, etc. Women have been put at the background politically for years; this has engendered a consciousness of women under-representation in public life. The study further recommended that; political party leaders should encourage women participation in decision making and as well as to be nominated for leadership post; economic empowerment of women should be vigorously pursued; The National Assembly as a matter of state policy should implement Affirmative Action involving the reservation of 30percent elective posts for women on the basis of quota system between competing candidates; the education of women is useful to destroy the inferiority complex and to give aspiring women courage and confidence to compete with men; government should partner with women’s movements and civil society to embark on aggressive awareness and enlightenment campaign towards changing societal perception that women are inferior to men; “Godfathers” should be extended to women political aspirants in relation to sponsorship.

 

Chapter One of Gender, Party Politics, and Women’s Participation in the All Progressive Congress.

Background to the Study

There is an increasing debate among scholars (Oyediran, & Isiugo-Abanihe, 2016) in relations to gender and women participation in party politics in Nigeria. However, this debate has led to several controversies across the universe rather than providing solutions to the perceived gender inequalities in terms of women participation in development of developed countries or developing countries, (Muhammed, 2016). Women in Nigeria, just like their foreign counterparts (Pacific Island States, Northern Africa, Western Asia and Oceania) around the universe, face discrimination that restricts their opportunities to develop their full potential on a basis of equality with men. Based on the Declaration of the Summit of All Women Politicians in Nigeria which was held on 28 June 2002 in Abuja and organized by Global Rights in collaboration with the Centre for Population and Development Activities and Gender and Development Action declared that, the women of Nigeria have expressed with utter consternation the almost complete weakening of our political and social values, born out of over three decades of continuous male-dominated and oriented misrule’, (Alam, 2016)

Besides, the plight of woman is a despicable one as it is obviously recognized and integrated into various sectors, organizations, institutions and programs either through formal or informal. Across the universe, women represent a critical segment of the world’s population, (Adeleke, 2015). The participation of women in governance at each level can be seen as an index of the level of democracy since women often represent over half of the population of most countries of the world. Over the past few years, the issues with regards to gender inequality have resulted into a universal attention with the result that the problems that restricts or affects women progress are currently being addressed concretely, (Parizeau, Shillington, Hawkins, Sultana, Mountz, Mullings, & Peake, 2016), which has increased the political awareness and consciousness of women. In Nigeria, women struggles can be traced back to the nineteen century when women like Amina of Zaria fought her way to political limelight, Madam Tinubu of Lagos, Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti of Abeokuta, Margaret Ekpo and Hajji Gabon Sawaba among others have as well fought to give women the pride of place in Nigeria’s history, (Allen, 2018). Even after the battle for Nigeria’s independence was over and Nigeria became an independent sovereign nation, women continued to contribute their quota towards development and progress in the country, (Ajayi, 2017).

Women’s participation in party politics is perceived to be as active roles performed by women in the political party they belong to, (Agablaobi, 2015). However, view of womanhood generally affects this role. Thus, womanhood perception is germane in providing a clarification of the opportunity and structures available to both gender for self-actualization and effective participation in party politics, which eventually contributes to governance, leadership position and decision-making, (Madunagu, 2016). In explaining the view of womanhood, it is referred to as the beliefs, concepts and ideas individuals have as regards females in terms of what they represent in their relationship to men as well as expectations regarding appropriate female roles, (Awe, 2014). Political participation on its own is a civic duty expected from all citizens. Generally, its high level is a sign of the political health of a country, while its absence, particularly for individual citizens, is a sign of political poverty. It is as well one of the assured ways through which a person’s private interests can be assured. According to Simbine (2013) political participation is referred to as those voluntary activities through which members of a society or community share in the selection of rulers and directly or indirectly in the formation of public policy. There are various factors that affect women participation in politics which includes traditional and cultural hindrances, lack of education, lack of resources and lack of opportunity, (Simbine, 2013). Although, these listed factors are seen to be affecting both genders participation in politics in Nigeria, however, a review of women participation in party politics shows that, the females seem to be most affected.

Olojede (2015) study revealed marginalization of women in the decision-making process of the political parties of National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Similarly, Simbine (2013) recorded that during the formation of political parties leading to the Fourth Republic, no female featured particularly in the party process. Also, this trend of marginalization was as well witnessed in the most recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the ruling party. WLP (2011) reported widely in the print and electronic media the marginalization of Mrs. Sarah Jibril, the only female Presidential aspirant. The single vote cast for the female aspirant in the PDP primaries has many ramifications for women’s future in Party Politics.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) constitution provides for woman leaders in all party organs including state congresses. For examples, as regard the state congresses the constitution states in Article 7.12 that, there should be: ‘(xiii) 5 delegates from every Ward of the State elected for that purpose at least one of who must be a woman; (xiv) The local government Youth Leader and Woman Leader if (she is) from the local government. Similarly, article 4.12 states that: ‘(ii) The Board of Trustees shall comprise of 3 members from every State of the federation at least one who shall be a woman and one member from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A chairman shall be appointed by them from their number.’ It could be reasoned from the above that the provisions for women are indirect and not specific. As a result, the position of women members is not guaranteed.

Generally speaking, women in Nigeria have not really held positions in the parties beyond those of one of many vice-chairpersons. The negligible presence of women in institutionalized politics is equally clear in their low participation as party executives, elected officers and political appointees, (Ajayi, 2017). Under the superimposed attempts at postcolonial democracy women were granted a token presence in systems that remained largely patriarchal. Their political presence in decision making remained highly circumscribed. The marginalization of women has continued in the Fourth Republic.

Due to the low cases of women participation of party politics, women couldn’t greatly influence the course of government policies. In spite of this, they are bound by the outcomes of the policy process of which they were and are an insignificant part. Similarly, their peculiar needs and interests couldn’t be adequately projected as they had few advocates in policy institutions. As a result, a number of policies and programmes adopted by Federal and State governments to improve sustainable human development were and are sometimes gender insensitive, (Agablaobi, 2015).

Statement of the Problems

Over the years, there has been increasing debates over the participation of women in party politics in Nigeria, especially under the All Progressive Congress. Women are perceived to be the foundation upon which a nation is built in all spheres for social, economic and political development. The participation of female in politics most particularly in All Progressive Congress should be encouraged and promoted as a result of the extensive roles they played in the development of state of affairs.

However, Izugbara (2013) observed that women participation in party politics in All Progressive Congress are been affected by some factors which are; the gender stereotype or discrimination, social or environmental norms, among others, which have ignored their significant impacts and have placed them in a more inferior position to men in the development of party politics and national political system.

Though, the All Progressive Congress (APC) constitution that provides for woman leaders in all party organs as well as state congresses. For examples, with regards to the state congresses, the constitution states in Article 7.12 that, there should be: ‘(xiii) 5 delegates from each Ward of the State elected for that purpose at least one of who must be a woman; (xiv) The local government Youth Leader and Woman Leader if (she is) from the local government. Furthermore, Article 4.12 states that: ‘(ii) The Board of Trustees shall consist of 3 members from each State of the federation at least one who shall be a woman and one member from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A chairman shall be appointed by them from their number.’ It could be reasoned from the above that the provisions for women are indirect and not specific. As a result, the position of women members is not sure.

Despite the constitutional declaration of the All Progressive Congress in Nigeria, gender discrimination still exists and remains fully entrenched in the power configuration of the party and society at large, with resulting effect of restricting the participation of women in the party political process. Based on the above, this study will seek to examine gender, party politics and women participation in the All Progressive Congress Lagos State as the study case.

Research Objectives

The primary objective of this study is to investigate gender, party politics and women participation in the All Progressive Congress in Lagos State, Nigeria. However, the specific objectives of the study will be to:

1. examine the effects on gender inequality on women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria;
2. assess the factors limiting women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria;
3. identify the factors contributing to women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria;
4. to determine the nature of women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria

Research Questions

To achieve the objectives of the study, the research sought to answer the following questions:

1. Is there any effect of gender inequality on women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria?
2. What are the factors affecting women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria?
3. Are there any factors contributing to women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria?
4. How is the nature of women participation in All Progressive Party in Nigeria?

Scope of the Study

This study examined gender, party politics and women participation in the All Progressive Congress in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study variables will be restricted in the area of gender, party politics and women participation, while the study area will be limited to All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Nigeria. The choice of All Progressive Congress was because of its political structure which is more of male domination in politics and also as the ruling party in Nigeria. Therefore, the choice of All Progressive Congress will help unravel the factors affecting women participation in party politics in Nigeria. The timeframe for the study is for a period of 10years which ranges from 2010-2020. The specific areas to be considered for the study are; the ratio of women in politics, nature of women participation in politics, factors restricting and contributing to women participation in politics.

Significance of the Study

The study will examine gender, party politics and women participation in the All progressive Congress in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study will draw the attention of the gender discrimination that the women do feel as they seek to develop a society or country politically. The findings will help provide raw material for a policy review vis-à-vis women roles towards the involvement of party politics in Nigeria.

This study would as well be beneficial in all sphere of the country in ensuring greater roles and involvement of women in both political and economic development of a community or state. The findings of this study will equally provide policy makers with institutional frameworks and policy inputs in the area of policy formulation in regard to policy formulation. The study will as well expose to government and varying women politicians tools that hitherto can catapult them into leadership positions. The research will add to knowledge in the peculiar nature of women participation in party politics in Nigeria, especially All Progressive Congress.

Finally, this study will be of beneficial to other researchers who will be interested in carrying out further studies on women and their quest for party politics and political development will find this study very useful in the governance and system of Nigeria.

Methodology of the Study

The methodology of this study will be qualitative in nature using primary and secondary sources of information. The primary source shall entail interview while the secondary sources shall be through journals, reports, articles, newspapers, treaties, textbooks and various statutes which would be obtained from online sources. The issue under discussion is a global menace which cuts across all the countries of the world, there have been so many literatures on the subject matter across the globe, this shall be referred to in discussing the topic at hand.

Operational Definition of Terms

Gender: is better understood as a product of the way a particular society views and analyses the relationship between male and female, which again are determined by a number of factors, especially, the cultural values of that society

Party Politics: is an organized group of individuals who have the same ideology, or who otherwise have the same political positions, and who held candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement their agenda.

Women: Refers to the female gender, the opposite of male gender.

Participation: Participation is the involvement of citizens in some way with making decisions in political system.

Role: The degree to which somebody/something is involved in a situation or an activity and the effect that they have on it.

Chapterization of the Study

This study is organized into five main chapters. Chapter one entails the background, statement of problems, research objectives, research questions and hypotheses, and significance and scope of the study. Chapter two consists of the literature review that reveals the findings and research that already exists on the topic. Chapter three summarizes the scope and methodology used to organize and carry out this study. The discussion of the results after analysis of the findings and comparison to the information revealed within the literature review is conducted within Chapter four. Chapter five provides a summary of the study, its limitations and further recommendations.