Subordinated by culture: constraints of women in elective politics in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigerian women constitute about half of the population of the country and are known to play vital roles as mother, producer, time manager, community organizer and social and political activist. However, despite these roles and the strength of their population, they are discriminated against when it comes to elective politics. The aim of the study, therefore, was to find out the specific factors responsible for the low level of political participation of women in Nigeria. The paper identified the patriarchal value system of Africa, colonialism, monetization of political contest, electoral violence, etc, as culprits and argued that existing patriarchal values should be jettisoned in favour of a more gender sensitive stance as this will allow women contribute their quota to the democratic and developmental processes in Nigeria.