Social, Cultural and Economic Discrimination to Women Participation in African Politics: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

Women discrimination in politics is a phenomenon that excludes majority of women from politics.  This practice is a waste of human resources. Nigerian women constitute about fifty percent of Nigeria’s population and are known to play vital roles as child bearers, child rearers, house managers, producers of over 70% of the nation’s food and community organizers among others. However, women’s participatory level in government and decision making is below 50% currently. The causes of women discrimination in Nigerian politics are directly associated with gender complex because women are seen as inferior to men in our society and culture. Its roots are found in the past political, economic, social and cultural events which over the years have ensure the subjugation, oppression and domination of women by men. Women’s discrimination in politics occurs everywhere be it in the developed or developing countries, thus perpetuating gender inequalities; this informed the declaration by the United Nations Goals Two, which is to “promote gender equality and empower women”. This paper therefore examines the status of women in politics, problems women face in their quest to participate in politics , and possible measures to their political empowerment such as given political education to women and allowing women to participate at any level of political powers among others.