HISTORICIZING WOMEN'S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

In Nigeria as a political landscape, women are still holding least positions and playing fringe roles in political institutions, processes, matters and claims. This paper titled Historicizing Women’s Political Participation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is anchored on the Social role theory. It posits that men and women expected behaviour in all social settings is a consequence of socialisation in gender stereotypes and gender roles. We employed desk approach for relevant materials which provides bases for conclusion and recommendations. In the Pre-Colonial era in Nigeria, women were monarchs, warriors, entrepreneurs, producers of herbs and medicine, policy makers and tutor of cherish values in traditional political institution. In the Colonial, and Post-Independence (democracy and military interregnum) eras, history, however, bears witness that women lost their political relevance and are relegated to background position in politics. There are major factors against women progress in the Nigeria’s politics which are historical, structural and psychological. Women’s activism and representation in public offices in the Fourth Republic reveals that women’s political participation is spectatorial and transitional. Since party structure and government institutions are dominated by the male gender, civil society organizations promoting women in politics need to double their efforts.