Young Women’s Political Participation and Gender Depoliticization in Nigeria

Abstract

Since return to Nigeria to civilian administration in 1999, women have been making efforts to access political leadership space with little progress. With international and national instruments to ensure more women gain inroad into politics, there is a dismal record in this aspect. Anchoring the paper on theory of political participation, the paper explored the possibility of gender depoliticisation through the involvement of young women in politics. Desk research method which utilised secondary sources of data collection was employed. The paper argued that in spite of the fact that young women are involved in activism,they are grossly underrepresented in political leadership. Culture, political acrimony, stigmatisation, religion, lack of finance, political violence, etc., constitute barriers to young women representation in politics. The paper contended that there is always political inequality between women and men, particularly among the youngest generations. The paper concluded that young women are at risk of not being included and favourably considered in the decision making process, as non-participation in politics poses a threat to their gender's dignified existence in the body polity. It recommended that socio-economic barriers including culture, religion, patriarchal belief, political acrimony, insecurity, etc., should be addressed. Empowerment should start from the family to re-orientate on the social barriers affecting young women participation in leadership positions. Girl-child education needs prioritisation to develop potentials, particularly contribution in decision making process at all levels of governance, among others.