Female Empowerment: The implications for democracy and development in Nigeria

Dr Mrs Josephine Azuka Onyido,University Of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

doi:10.25255/jss.2016.5.2.96.103

Dr Mrs Josephine Azuka Onyido, University Of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

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https://doi.org/10.25255/jss.2016.5.2.96.103

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Abstract

Democracy is a system of government that seeks to involve, entrench and demand the participation of all stakeholders. It seeks to bring about societal development through equal participation of stakeholders in infrastructural and economic development. The Nigerian democratic experience has been plagued by interruptions by military regimes, political violence, corruption and notably the discrimination and marginalization of women. This therefore, is not the essence and purpose of democracy and consequently affects the development of the society, economy to mention a few. Hence, to attain equal stakeholder’s participation with a view to eradicating these challenges there is need, for female empowerment to be encouraged so as to stimulate participation and decision making in the democratic terrain. This paper therefore, seeks to critically analyze and discuss the effect of female empowerment on the Nigerian democratic experience. It highlights the importance of gender/female empowerment and history of the Nigerian democratic experience, while stressing the importance of gender empowerment for democratic stability and societal development. It finally concludes that addressing female/gender empowerment and tackling the challenges of women participation in politics would go a long way in ensuring democratic stability and entrenching democracy in Nigeria.

Highlights

Department of Educational Foundation Faculty of Education+2348033089056 Abstract: Democracy is a system of government that seeks to involve, entrench and demand the participation of all stakeholders
Nigeria which obtained its Independence in 1960 and became a republic in 1963 currently operates a democratic system and democracy is assumed to be a system of government that seeks to involve equal participation of stakeholders in decision making so as to be able to achieve economic, societal development through the use of human and natural resources
Scholars have continue to stress that men are given preference in decision making and participation in the Nigerian democratic terrain and this could possibly be hampering the ability of women contributing to societal development and transformation (Ngara & Ayabam,2013)

Summary

Department of Educational Foundation Faculty of Education

+2348033089056 Abstract: Democracy is a system of government that seeks to involve, entrench and demand the participation of all stakeholders. It seeks to bring about societal development through equal participation of stakeholders in infrastructural and economic development. The Nigerian democratic experience has been plagued by interruptions by military regimes, political violence, corruption and notably the discrimination and marginalization of women. This is not the essence and purpose of democracy and affects the development of the society, economy to mention a few.

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