WOMEN PARTICIPATIONS AND ELECTORAL PROCESS IN NIGERIA: ITS IMPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY

Abstract

The study examined women participation in electoral process in Nigeria and how it impacts on the country’s democracy. In general, gender discrimination has emerged as a significant global concern that has sparked a variety of debates among authors on the subject of women's participation and its effects. Liberal Feminist Theory and Gender Streaming Theory served as the theoretical foundation and analytical framework of this study. Data were collected from secondary sources and subjected to qualitative content analysis. It was discovered that a number of factors, including zoning formula, discrimination in law and customs, intimidation, thuggery, and violence, lack of financial support, and women's perspectives on politics, among others, had impacted on women's participation in Nigeria’s electoral process. It was further demonstrated that these encumbrances make it difficult for them to vote and this undermines Nigeria's ability to maintain a viable democracy. The paper suggests that the current policy on women's empowerment be changed to take into account the current situation. Additionally, this approach places a great priority on hiring women for positions of authority in order to maintain a democratic government for growth and development in Nigeria.