ABSTRACT
This study aims at assessment of public perception
of women participation in politics in Dutsin-ma local government area of
Katsina State. The study investigates the factors that influence participation
of women in Nigerian politics among these factors are: Educating women equally
with men, empowering women economically eliminate some cultural beliefs and the
review of gender discriminatory laws. The study engages both primary and
secondary source, including field survey, personal interview and questionnaire.
The respondents (male and female) were selected from Dutsin-ma local government
of Katsina State through quota sampling from the administration of
questionnaires. The study reviews that the patriarchal system and male
domination of the society, which relegate women to subordinate roles, has
created women inferiority complex and alienated them from the mainstream
politics in Dutsin-ma local government of KatsinaState.TheNigerian political
culture of thuggery and gangsterism has made the political terrain too
dangerous for most women to venture into mainstream politics, besides
stigmatization of women politician by fellow women discourages the political
participation of the former which Religious beliefs and institutional
arrangement that restrict women to family responsibilities in the country
coupled with lack of finance to encourage women participation have created a
legacy that limit women political participation in Dutsin-ma local government
area. Consequently, the study emphasizes the need to address these factors that
entrench women subordination in Nigeria politics, these include domestication
of international laws, the review of gender discriminatory laws, empowering
women economically, educating women equally with men, the reformation of all
Religious statutory and customary laws and practices that perpetuate women
subordination in the country and the explicit specification and modalities of
affirmative actions on women participation in politics as well as clear
guidelines for implementation in the constitution of federal Republic of
Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
This work
assesses the public perception of women participation in politics in dutsin-ma
local government area of Katsina state. Political participation according to
Anifowose (2004), is a sin-qua-none for democracy, as democracy involves a
commitment to equal opportunity for male and women to be involved in decision
making in their immediate society.
Political
participation involves these voluntary activities such as attending rallies,
vying for position and party office, involving campaigns, voting and expressing
oneself to political stimuli. However, the pursuit of these democratic
principles, according to Anifowose (2004) shows that women are generally less
empowered and apathetic. In general, participation is lower among women than
men. Women are less well informed about issues and less able to identify public
figures, less able several point of view, less likely to be concerned with
issues in elections, Anifowose (2004).
For a long
period of time, it is seen as if women largely accepted as “natural” the
difference in their opportunities as relatively few women raise their voice in
protest. Recently however, more and more women in countries have established
women movement to protect and change not only discriminatory practice against
themselves and society and began to participate in political affairs of their
country. In some countries, women have struggle to gain political leadership,
thus as rightly pointed out by Anofowose (2004), in 1979 Mrs. Margret Thatcher
became great Britain’s first woman prime minister, the republic of Ireland
voted into office Mrs. Mary Bobinson as
women president. In other nations like India, Srilanka , Pakistan, Philippines
and Israel, women have also occupied some sensitive political leadership
position. Similarly, in Rwanda and South Africa 56.3% and 42.5% respectively of
their national parliament comprised of women (international parliamentary union
IPU, 2010). The Nigerian women have not been left out in this struggle as women
organization are formed for “consciousness raising” campaigns to help women
discover and develop new orientation (Lane,1958:209) Greinstein,(961:345).
A few Nigerian
women have shunned apathy and demonstrated interest in the political affairs of
their country. In 1999, for instance Hon (Mrs.), Margret Icheen who emerged as
the speaker of Benue state house of assembly, became the first woman speaker of
a house of assembly in Nigeria and the African continent. The farthest Nigeria
has gone in achieving this is the appointment of 13 female minister by
president Goodluck Jonathan, (UN women, 2014). Although, in the southern part
of the country, the participation of women in politics has been on the increase
in recent time, with the emergence of female deputy governor in Osun, Ekiti,
and Lagos state. However, in the north, little or nothing has been achieved in
respect to political participation of women (Afolabi MM, 2009), making a study
of this nature very imperative.
According to
Anifowose (2004), these factors responsible that impede participation of women
of women in politics of Dutsin-ma local government include the low literacy
rate among women, financial constraints and effective competition with their
male counterpart in politics and prevailing African traditional norms and
beliefs which see the place of women as being in the home. Some women have come
to see themselves as inferior beings due to their poor socio-economic status,
educational backwardness, religious values and traditional beliefs which placed
them in a position to have maintain input in public life.
Studies have
revealed that the few women who participate in Nigeria politics have shown competence.
Quick glance at Nigeria’s past would remind us of the heroic deeds of women
such as princess moremi of ife and inipki of igala land (uhuo,201). Also the
contribution of queen amina of zazzau cannot be easily forgotten in
pre-colonial history of Hausas. As such, this study attempts the assessment of
public perception of women participation in politics in dutsin-ma local
government area in Katsina state.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
Human right can
be seen as birth right, it is by nature not a favor, these rights are enriched
and include the right of life, liberty, religious choice, right to vote and to
be voted for and these rights are in the constitution and other human right
treatise, the rights are supposed to be enjoyed by all human beings regardless
of sex and in a situation where part of the human beings are denied these
rights, they are seen as sub-human, in the sense that they are being
discriminated against. A systematic analysis of women’s participation in
politics in Nigeria since 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule reveals the
pattern of engagement and outcome of women participation in politics in
Nigeria. National assembly in 1999 has three (3) female senators and twelve
(12) female house of representative members. In 2003, four (4) and twenty one
(21) female members were elected respectively into the assembly. In 2007 the
national assembly had nine (9) female senators and twenty six (26) female
members of House of Representatives. In 2011, the national assembly had seven
(7) female members and twenty-five (25) female members in the lower house.
In 2015, the
national assembly had seven (7) female in senate and 19 females in the senate
and 19 females in the House of Representatives. This analysis presented above
shows the rate at which women are being marginalized I political participation
is alarming. Politics in Nigeria has become a men’s affair. It is becoming
worrisome that Nigeria has not been able to reach the 35% representation as
espouse by the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination
against women (CEDAN).
According to Enejere (1991) in Nigeria, the problem of women looms
large. Economic backwardness, ignorance, religious prejudice and obsolete ideas
about women pace at home and in the society tell on their position.
It is against this backdrop that this study is directed toward
examining the political participation in Nigeria while paying particular
participation to dutsin-ma in other
to find out why women in Dutsin-ma local government area have not been able to
translate their numerical strength to election victory.
1.3 Objective of
The Study
i.
To examine the
nature of women participation in politics in dutsin-ma local government area of
Katsina state.
ii.
To ascertain
the level of women participation in politics in Dutsin-ma local government area
of Katsina state.
iii.
To identify the
factors that influence participation of women in politics in dutsin-ma local
government area of Katsina state.
iv.
To suggest the
likely solution to low participation of women in politics in dutsin-ma local
government.
1.4 Research
Questions
- What is the nature of women’s
participation in politics of Dutsi-nma local government area of Katsina
state? - What is the level of women participation
in politics in dutsin-ma local government area of Katsina state? - What are the factors that influence
participation of women in politics in dutsin-ma local government area of
Katsina state? - What are the strategies to encourage more
participation of women in politics in dutsin-ma local government area of
Katsina State?
1.5 Scope of
The Study
The academic scope of this study is to understand the level of
women participation in politics, its nature as well as strategies that can be
put in place to eliminate the level of women participation in politics. The
study samples five (5) selected wards in dutsin-ma local government area in Katsina
state to work with, paying particular attention to 2015 general election.
However for an in-depth analysis and understanding, attempt is made to make a
brief flashback on 2011 election. Therefore, the time scope is from 2011
general election to 2015. the study is limited to the study area due to
financial and time constraint to effective cover a very wide area.
1.6 Significance
of the Study
Much has been written on the political participation of women. However,
only few of these study have been carry out in Dutsin-ma. This study will fill
the gap. The study is very relevant for future studies because it would enable
other future researchers to have background knowledge of what the political
participation of women in Dutsin-ma local government of Katsina is like.
Furthermore,
this study would be of benefit to student and scholars in the field of
sociology and political science in particular and social science in general
especially these involved in gender studies to understand the factors
responsible the backwardness of the women in politics. Also, the solution or
recommendation provided in this study would help government in addressing the
problem of gender inequality in Nigeria generally and Katsina particularly.
The research
would help us understand the level of women participation in politics in
Dutsin-ma local government. In addition, it will also bring to time light the
nature of women participation in politics in Dutsin-ma local government and
also factors that influence participation of women in politics in Dutsin-ma
local government area.
1.7 Definition of Terms
The research
work employed key words like women, political participation, Dutsin-ma, Katsina
state, society, participation.
Women: This work
sees women as the adult female human who are qualify to vote and be voted for.
Political participation: Is
the process by which individuals acting by themselves or through group
organization, attempt to influence decision making or alter the manner which
power may be distributed in a particular society (Ashburn 1969).
Working definition:
political participation is an active involvement of people or electorate in the
political affairs of their country.
Dutsin-ma: A local
government council in Katsina state. It’s the area which the research work is
focus.
Kastina: A state in
Nigeria located in the North –west geographical zone. It has 34 local
government area councils of which Dutsin-ma is among.
Society: Ikeyi J.o and
Uguegede p.(1998), defined society as an organized collectivity of people, made
up of a nature of interconnected group an organization. For this study, society
can be seen as a group of people who live together, occupying a defined
geographical location and who share common culture tips.
Participation: Luka(2011)
quoting Robert and Edwards(1991) describe participation as a term which is
usually applied to voluntary rather than coerced activities, they proceeded to
explain the term by saying that when participation is used in political context
its thus the voluntary activities of an individual in political affairs
including inter alia.