Gender and politics have walked side by side for centuries. Women everywhere, Nigeria being no exception, have had to struggle to make themselves heard in leadership. We shall discuss, from the past to today, why that is the case and how that can be changed.
A Look at History
The marginalization of women in Nigerian politics did not start yesterday. It is a colonial-era legacy. The Richards Constitution of 1946 required that people should have some wealth before they could contest an election. At that time, most women did not have access to wealth. This disqualified them from participating in elections. Even though the provision does not exist anymore, its effects can still be felt. Women still have a harder time collecting campaign money or receiving the support of big political groups.
Political parties are the key to getting elected. However, they remain largely controlled by men. Women often do not get the same support as men when running for office. Some parties try to encourage female candidates by giving them free nomination forms. But this has not led to real change. Instead, women are often seen as symbolic candidates rather than serious competitors. Many parties do not invest in their campaigns, making it difficult for them to win.
Money and Elections
Elections in Nigeria are expensive. Even if a woman gets a free nomination form, she still needs campaign money. Campaigns require money for posters, transport, and paying staff. Men have better access to financial networks, while women struggle to find funding. This puts female candidates at a big disadvantage and disrupts gender and politics.
Violence and Intimidation
Politics in Nigeria can be dangerous. Threats, harassment, and violence are common, especially during elections. Women are often targeted more than men. This discourages many women from running for office. Without proper security, many capable women will stay away from politics.
Cultural Barriers
Many Nigerians still believe that leadership is for men. Women who run for office often face resistance from their communities. People question their ability to lead simply because they are women. This bias affects both party decisions and voter choices. Even when women are qualified, they still have to fight against these negative beliefs.
What Can Be Done?
1. Quotas for Women in Politics
South Africa and Rwanda both have legislation requiring women’s representation through a percentage of reserved elected seats. Such laws need to be instituted in Nigeria to ensure that women are properly represented in the government.
2. Financial Support for Female Candidates
Women need to have better access to money for campaigning. Political parties, donors, and government agencies need to institute funding programs for women running for office. This will allow them to challenge male politicians.
3. Reform Political Party Rules
Political parties need to be made to sponsor women candidates in tangible terms, not just by distributing gratis forms. The election commission must make the political parties treat women fairly during primaries and campaigns.
4. Protect Women in Politics
Law enforcement agencies must take electoral violence seriously. Special security teams should protect female candidates to ensure they can campaign safely.
Conclusion
The low number of women in Nigerian politics is because the system was built to keep them out. Free nomination forms are not enough. There must be changes in political funding, security, party rules, and public attitudes. If Nigeria wants true democracy, it must remove these barriers in gender and politics.
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