The female gender has long played significant roles in Nigerian politics, contributing to mobilising, consensus-building, and advocating for change. However, despite these contributions, the level of women’s occupancy in frontline political offices remains scanty, KEHINDE OLATUNJI reports.
How many women are state governors, deputy governors, Senators, and council chairpersons in the current dispensation? Compare those statistics with the number of women who have so far occupied positions of responsibility, both in elective and appointive positions, in the past 26 years of Nigeria’s current Fourth Republic.
The picture is dismal, you may say. That observation is quite right. But the development is more acute in the structural exclusion of women from key decision-making processes. The lack of representation in leadership positions and limited opportunities to shape the direction of political parties they belong to are very easily discernible.
During the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, concerns were high about the marginalisation of women within the party. Whether by omission or commission, that seeming oversight cast doubts on the party’s assurances that it would effectively adhere to its offer of a 35 per cent elective and appointive position quota for women.
The growing scepticism was further fueled by the unfortunate exclusion of women from the list of delegates to attend the party’s November convention, sparking questions about the PDP’s stance on women’s representation and empowerment.
Observers have noted that the marginalisation of women in politics goes beyond mere numbers; it’s about the valuable perspectives, experiences, and contributions that women bring to the table.
For instance, many stakeholders believe that excluding them from decision-making processes can lead to their interests being overlooked and their needs being neglected, resulting in policies that fail to address the unique challenges women face. This, in turn, perpetuates a cycle of inequality and further marginalisation.
The exclusion of women from leadership positions is not unique to the PDP, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has also faced criticism for failing to adequately recognise women in decision-making roles. This oversight has sparked calls for the party to prioritise women’s representation in critical leadership positions.
Prominent socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has been vocal about the ADC’s shortcomings, condemning the party’s exclusion of women and youth from key decision-making processes. Yesufu argues that relegating women to tokenistic roles, such as women leader and youth leader positions, is insufficient.
Pundits have suggested that the significance of women’s participation in politics, especially in decision-making roles, cannot be overstated as Nigeria approaches future elections, maintaining that their involvement is pivotal in shaping the country’s future and ensuring that its development is both inclusive and sustainable.
Speaking with The Guardian, Founder, Progressives Women Group, Shettima Abdullah, noted that it is imperative that political parties prioritise women’s inclusion, recognising the unique perspectives and value they bring to the table.
“Anything less would not only undermine the progress made so far but also jeopardise the country’s prospects for equitable growth and development.
“As the nation looks to the future, it’s time for parties to walk the talk on gender equality and empower women to take on leadership roles, driving meaningful change and progress for all Nigerians.”
The consequences of this marginalisation are far-reaching, as women’s participation in politics is crucial in shaping the future of the country and ensuring that its development is inclusive and sustainable. By excluding women from leadership positions, parties risk alienating a significant segment of their membership and undermining their chances of success.
Some want to ask, what can be done to change this narrative? How can women be given a seat at the table and allowed to contribute meaningfully to the decision-making processes of political parties?
The answer lies in a fundamental shift in the way political parties approach women’s participation. It’s time for parties to move beyond tokenism and ensure that women are given leadership positions that carry real power and influence.
In an interaction with The Guardian, former Deputy National Chairman, Olabode George, acknowledged that the issue of women’s marginalisation was raised at the party’s NEC and subsequently addressed.
He stated: “We have taken concrete steps to increase women’s representation. We are working towards achieving the 35 per cent elective and appointive positions for women in the party. In response to concerns raised at NEC, the party leadership has deliberately expanded the convention membership to include more women.
“A nation that fails to recognise the value of women will struggle economically. That’s why we prioritise honouring and empowering our women in all our endeavours. As my mother wisely said, men may think they are smart, but women know how to navigate relationships and get things done better. The role of women in our party is indispensable, and we have many intelligent and confident women who are crucial to our progress.”
Also adding his voice to the conversation, a political analyst, Gbadebo Gbolahan, stated that the PDP’s elective convention presents an opportunity for the party to redeem itself and demonstrate its commitment to women’s empowerment.
According to him, by ensuring that women are actively involved in the convention process and are given leadership roles, the party can send a strong signal about its dedication to inclusivity and gender equality.
“The role of women in politics cannot be overstated. Their participation is crucial in shaping the future of the country and ensuring that its development is inclusive and sustainable. Political parties’ commitment to women’s empowerment offers a chance for parties to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality and inclusivity.”
In his contribution, a Gender Studies expert, Professor Abiola Jaiyebo, stressed the importance of having women in strategic positions in political parties, while calling for constitutional reforms to reflect this.
“The marginalisation of women in politics is a betrayal of our democratic principles. We must recognise the agency and autonomy of women and create spaces for them to exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
“This requires a fundamental shift in how we think about politics and power, moving beyond tokenistic representation to meaningful inclusion and participation. Only then can we build a truly inclusive and representative democracy that reflects the diversity and complexity of our society.”
However, an Economist, Dr Wura Omotoso, said research has shown that increasing women’s representation in government could lead to increased investment in critical sectors such as education and healthcare. She stressed that policymakers should prioritise women’s empowerment and inclusion in governance, not just for social justice, but also as a sound economic strategy. By doing so, Nigeria can reap significant benefits and drive development and prosperity.
“The economic benefits of women’s participation in politics cannot be overstated. When women are involved in decision-making, they bring diverse perspectives and experiences that lead to more effective and sustainable policies. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on the economy and society as a whole.”
Casting a pointed background, Dr Jumoke Olusanya, who is a political scientist, placed the cause of the underrepresentation of women in politics on the political structure, saying that it is a symptom of a broader societal issue.
“One key aspect of this issue is the presence of structural barriers that prevent women from participating in politics. These barriers include patriarchal norms and lack of access to resources, which can limit women’s ability to engage in the political process,” she said.
As a way out, Dr Olusanya suggested that parties must take proactive steps to address these barriers, even as she emphasised that “parties must prioritise women’s empowerment and create opportunities for them to take on leadership roles. This can involve various strategies, such as training programmes, mentorship initiatives, and affirmative action policies.
“By addressing these structural barriers and promoting women’s empowerment, political parties can help create a more inclusive and representative political landscape. This, in turn, can lead to more effective governance and policies that better reflect the needs and interests of all citizens. There is a need for a more nuanced understanding of the challenges facing women in politics and a concerted effort to address these challenges.”
