Illah Obadiah, Abdullahi Okuwa Abubakar

Keywords: Gender equality, patriarchy, political domination, political participation

Abstract

All through human history, the issue of patriarchy has continued tod ominate intellectual discourses in attempts to expound the plight of women in society. In Nasarawa State, Nigeria, despite the active involvement of women in politics, no woman has been elected into a key decision making position such as Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the State House of Assembly. In order to unravel complexities that surround women’s involvement in politics in Nasarawa State; this study examines factors engendering women political domination in the State. Analyses in the study were anchored within assumptions of radical feminism. Instruments for data collection consist of a structured questionnaire administered to 470 respondents and key informant interviews involving five participants in . The study’s results revealed that patriarchal structures, traditional beliefs, economic disadvantages, cultural practices, and gender policy gaps are foundations to women political domination in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study recommends that governments at all levels in the State should formulate and implement gender-responsive policies and laws that deliberately provide funds and support for women political empowerment. Also, the Nasarawa State Government should establish a Gender Equality Commission in the State with a view to advancing advocacies on inclusive development and evolve networking platforms and mentorship programmes that connect women aspiring to enter politics with established female leaders in the State and beyond.

Author Biography

Illah Obadiah

Department of General Studies, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

illah4real@yahoo.com; illobed82@gmail.com

Abdullahi Okuwa Abubakar

Department of General Studies, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

abukuwa50@gmail.com

 

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