Gender inequality and women's participation in Nigerian politics (2011-2019

In Nigeria, the integration of women into Nigeria's political framework began with the federal government decree No.30 of 1989 which established the National Commission for Women. Following the inauguration of the International Year for women in 1958 to calibrate the institutionalization of women's participation in public affairs and national planning. Despite this stride, the fact that Nigerian women make up of 49% of the population which is 201 million according to the 2019 population census, but with only 4% of lawmakers means there is relatively low participation of women in Nigerian politics. Gender divide, religion, economic constraints, belief system and male chauvinism account for the reasons. This study makes a critical assessment of gender inequality and women participation in Nigerian politics from 2011 – 2019. The aim is to find the factors and government reforms in areas of policies and practices that can best improve on women partcipation in Nigerian politics. This study argues that absence of distinctive legal framework for gender equality exists at the expense of women political participation in Nigeria. In addition gender inequality in form of sex-preference, economic constraints and male chauvinism impact on women political participation in Nigeria.