DYNAMICS OF WOMEN POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The task of this paper is to examine the incessant question of women empowerment with relation to politics in Nigeria. The paper observes that gender discourse is globally pervasive, calling to attention the unwarranted discrepancy between men
and women in every facet of human life. It places emphasis on the oppression and political exclusion of women at all levels. The feminist movements have for years continued to advocate for gender equality. Yet, not much has been done to address the ostracism of women in the decision-making process. Drawing inference from contemporary Nigeria, the paper argued that if gender discourse will ever be productive, the quest for affirmative action must be practically executed rather than theoretically debated. The paper observes the impact of lopsidedness of governance in modern day Nigeria. It notes that the patriarchal, masculinist nature of political rule in the country has not delivered anything other than the crisis of governance which has engulfed the very fabric of our body politic. It relies on the political economy approach as prime plank for its analysis. The paper submits that the continued marginalization and sometimes political exclusion of women undermines democracy both in terms of content and output.