CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Women’s full and effective political participation is a matter of human rights, inclusive growth and sustainable development (OECD, 2018a). The active participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making and political involvement is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace and democracy and the inclusion of their perspectives and experiences into the decision-making processes.

Despite this, Kumar (2018) states that in the twenty-first century, women are facing obstacles in their political participation worldwide. Women around the world at every socio-political level find themselves under-represented in parliament and far removed from decision-making levels.

As noted in the Millennium Development Goals (United Nations, 2019), women’s equal participation with men in power and decision-making is part of their fundamental right to participate in political life, and at the core of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Strategies to increase women’s participation in politics have been advanced through conventions, protocols and international agreements for gender mainstreaming, but they are yet to prove effective in achieving gender parity in the highest government rankings (Morobane, 2014). Half of the world’s population are women, but today women only hold 23% of all seats in parliaments and senates globally (Chalaby, 2017; Radu, 2018).

Given the fact that many states have ratified international conventions and protocols on gender equality and women political participation, the low level of women’s representation in government and political may be considered a violation of women’s fundamental democratic rights.

The African government’s public commitments have not materialized into better protection for women and support for victims and this has made women to play outside the political ground. According to Rop (2013) many African state sign and commit them to promoting gender parity in political participation, but end up shelving the agreement.

Abuse of office and desire to acquire power through self-centered means has resulted in the state ignoring women concerns. Thus, women continue to be underrepresented in governments across the nation and face barriers that often make it difficult for them to exercise political power and assume leadership positions in the public sphere.

The UN (2011) concurs and states that, “women in every part of the world continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere, often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women”.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Women's participation in the political process, in Kogi state, both as contestants for civic and parliamentary seats and as voters, may be influenced by a number of socioeconomic, cultural and political factors. These factors which may stem from the households to the community and the national level have affected the level of participation of women in politics in terms of increasing the number of women elected to parliament and local authorities, and consequently their representation in high level decision making positions. More so, the lack of family support is a critical challenge to women active participation in politics  Finally, several research has been carried out on the challenges facing women in politics in Kogi state but not even a single research has been carried out on an assessment of the challenges to women participation in politics in Kogi state.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim and objectives of the study is to assess the challenges to women participation in politics. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the factors affecting women participation in politics.
2. to examine the impact of political structures and other institutions on women participation in politics.
3. to examine the challenges women encounter in their bid to political participation.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1      What is the factors affecting women participation in politics?

2      What is the impact of political structures and other institutions on women participation in politics?

3      What is the challenges women encounter in their bid to political participation?

4      What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho:  There is no significant of effect of women participation in politics.

Hi:   There is a significant of effect of women participation in politics.

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on an assessment of the challenges to women participation in politics will be of immense benefit to the entire women of Kogi state in the sense that it will encourage the women to take part fully in politics amidst all fears and challenges that might arise. It will also encourage the men to support the women in their quest for political position in any arm of the government as they relate with the issues concerning their fellow women as well as the children in the state. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on the assessment of the challenges to women participation in politics is limited to Kogi state.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Assessment:    The action of assessing someone or something.

Challenges:     A call to prove or justify something.

Women:   An adult female human being.

Participation: The action of taking part in something.

Politics:   The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power.