THE IMPACT ANALYSIS OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ERADICATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) TREATY ON WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIAN POLITICS, 2011 - 2020

Abstract

Women play a very vital role in the growth of the society and Nigerian women are not an exception. Though Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on the Eradication of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), there have been little awareness about it and its implementation in Nigeria. This study attempts an impact analysis of the Treaty on the Convention on the Eradication of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on women participation in Nigerian politics, 2011 – 2020 using David Mitrany Functionalism Theory. The study is content descriptive and uses qualitative secondary sources of data with tables illustrating a selection of women representation at the federal and state levels during the period under review. There is a gap in literature on the necessity of passing the CEDAW Treaty into law in Nigeria. The passage of this law is the key to achieving an all[1]inclusiveness in Nigerian politics. This study further examined ways that women participation in politics can be enhanced. These includes a multi-pronged approach which cuts across, continuous re-orientation on the patriarchal nature of the society, rise in societal and political awareness for women’s participation in politics and governance from the grassroots to national level, and diversifying the pool of female candidates and building of female leaders. There is also the need for a strong, persistent, lobbying by gender-based civil societies and non-governmental organizations to the Political Parties, Executive and Legislative arms of Government and the international community until the Treaty is made a national law.