Nigerian women, politics and the national identity question

Abstract

Women involvements in political activities in recent times have been on the decline. Often times, women’s right is denied against the provisions of the constitution and other international instruments of human rights and this does not allow them to participate in government adequately. It takes conscious political actions to address the issue of women’s political marginalization and disallowing women from political participation enhances women invisibility in government and strengthens men’s arrogance in power. This paper focuses on the issues attributed to women’s attitude to politics and the challenges of women in leadership positions. Going by the recent number of appointments of female ministers and senators in Nigeria, the paper reveals the potentials of women leaders in government and the emancipation of favourable laws in the interest of women. The paper then concludes by analysing the problems and prospects of women involvement in political activities towards promoting good governance in Nigeria.

Keywords: Nigerian women, politics, national identity question.