Women’s Representation in the Legislature: A Study of the Rivers State House of Assembly, 2015-2023

Abstract

This study examined women’s representation in the Rivers State House of Assembly. 2015-2023. The objectives of the study were to examine the level of women’s representation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, to ascertain some of the dynamics and peculiar factors responsible for women’s underrepresentation in the Rivers House of Assembly, to ascertain how these motivators of women under-representation hindered women’s participation in Rivers, to evaluate how the underrepresentation of women has impacted the development of the State, and to proffer measures that can encourage women’s representation in the Rivers State House of Assembly. This is a topical issue in Nigeria’s political development as women's participation in politics in general and representation in the legislature has remained very poor. The study adopted the survey method design, employing the purposive sampling technique. Data gathered from both primary (questionnaire) and secondary (published materials) sources were deployed to address objectives 1, 2 and 4; whereas data were sourced from secondary sources to address objective 3. The study in addressing objective 1 found that women's representation in the Rivers State House of Assembly is very low (91.6% of the respondents rated it low). In response to objective 2, the study revealed that political violence and the reproductive role of women are the two major factors that hinder women's political participation in Rivers State. In addressing objective 3, the study found that women's political activities in the state as they relegated to childbearing, raising and supporting family, becoming mere party supporters and shying away from party leadership as they became afraid of political violence and intimidation. On objective 4, the study shows that the limited women's representation in the state house of assembly has positively impacted development in the state. This they do by ensuring the stability, progress, and long-term development of the state. The study further made the following recommendation: there should be a strict adherence to the 35 per cent affirmative action as enshrined in the National Gender Policy of 2006 not just in appointive positions but also in elective offices. Thus, Rivers State must respect Nigeria’s commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goal number 5 which is targeted at achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in all spheres of society. There should be legislation compelling political parties to reserve at least 35 percent of their tickets for elective positions in all the Rivers States executive and the legislature for women. The She-for-She movement should be domesticated in Rivers State by influential women in the education, business and political spheres of the state to encourage girls and women to take their destinies into their own hands. Also, the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Culture and the various political parties should embark on an aggressive campaign or sensitization to disabuse the mind of Rivers People of the prevailing wrong notion that women in politics are prostitutes, stubborn and disrespectful.