INTERROGATE THE GENDER GAP IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION IN NIGERIA : CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR WOMEN

ABSTRACT Political participation in Nigeria, encompasses a wide range of political activities, including voting at election, contesting for political and party offices, attending political rallies, joining political parties and many more. This study examined the gender gap in political leadership and representation in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects for women. It adopted a mixed method of approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. It also adopted descriptive survey design and it relied on both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data was obtained majorly through questionnaire that was distributed to respondent within some selected region in Nigeria. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and frequency distribution. Secondary data was also obtained through the review of extant literatures from journals, scholarly articles from the internet, books, government reports, newspapers articles and data from library archives. This paper deployed feminist and patriarchy theory in other to gain more insight about the gender gap in political leadership. The findings of the study revealed that certain political, cultural, religious, historical and traditional values have impeded female gender from participating in Nigeria politics and the society have been denied of the advantage of their full potential and they have been made to play second fiddle to their male counterparts. The findings also reveal that there are legal and policy framework to enhance female participation but lack enforcement and effectiveness. Several barriers women face were reviewed such as socio economic factors, political party dynamics, violence against women, humiliation, manipulation and marginalization. This paper recommended various prospects and strategies for bridging the gender gap in Nigeria politics which include introducing gender-sensitive re-forms, political party initiatives, financial support for women, civil society intervention, re-shaping societal perceptions, curbing electoral violence, reform political structure, create more inclusive government and support women candidates.