Inclusive Gender Representation in Governance in Nigeria: The need to strengthen women representation through Political Party Nominations

Abstract

Statistics have shown that women constitute half of the world’s population, yet their representation in the political and socio economic development and policy making of many developing countries, including Nigeria is still very low. There is a growing acknowledgement of the need to include women, minority groups, and the disabled and disadvantaged people in governance for any democracy to thrive and for stable peace and development to be achieved. The experiences of some countries, developing and developed, however show a gradual increase in the number of women in politics. For example, Finland has achieved 62.5%, Seychelles (43.8%), New Zealand (31.4%), Guyana (31.3%) and Cameroon (31.1%) women representation in politics. Nigeria needs to follow the steps of these and similar other countries to increase the number of women in politics in the country. The Nigerian government needs to review existing laws or enact a law that would make it compulsory for political parties to nominate female candidates for elective and appointive positions. The National Assembly may ensure that the quota system in Nigeria is fully adopted and used by political parties.