Gender Issues and Electoral Security in Nigeria (1999- 2023)

Abstract

The participation of women in electoral politics and security has become an important issue in the global arena. This is because women bear the brunt of conflicts and insecurity in most societies. Since the return of democracy in 1999 in Nigeria, there is a growing concern on the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence against women especially during electoral processes. Thus, the primary focus of this paper is to establish the link between gender-based electoral violence and low level of women participation in politics, it also seeks to examine the extent to which women have been excluded and violated in security and political related electoral processes. The paper reveals that women’s participation in electoral processes appear to be minimal, while electoral violence issues targeting women during elections in Nigeria appear to be alarmingly high. It further analyses the plethora of factors that are responsible for the continuous exclusion, violation, and discrimination of women in electoral processes. Thus, the paper explores measures that are required to promote and ensure sustained women inclusion in electoral processes, noting that leadership, decision-making, policy analyses, and policy actions should include men and women. From the research, the paper shows a glaring gap between gender participation in issues relating to electoral processes in Nigeria. It therefore recommends the need for interventions/initiatives by governments, political actors, Civil Society Organizations through development of legal frameworks and policies that will promote the inclusion and full participation of women in electoral processes towards a peaceful and sustainable Nigeria.