Gender Equality and the Challenges of Political Participation in Nigeria, 1999-2019: Drawing Lessons for Gender Balance in 2023 Election in Nigeria

Abstract

Gender equality and political participation are widely contested issues among scholars worldwide, particularly those in Nigeria. Gender mainstreaming has become a global practice in national policies across the globe. This study investigated factors that prevented women’s active political engagement in Nigeria between 1999 and 2019 and explored practical ways through which political parties in Nigeria can promote gender equality in the 2023 elections. The paper is ex-post facto research and adopted a content analysis method based on secondary data from journals, government publications and textbooks. The study revealed the factors that hampered women's participation in Nigerian politics, such as a lack of funds, party marginalization within parties, and political violence. The paper recommended that money politics be discouraged in Nigerian politics and that political parties ensure compliance with party rules and regulations governing campaign conduct in order to dissuade candidates from using violent means during campaigns and elections