Issues Of Women Representation In Politics And National Development In Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, women are faced with challenges that undermine their active participation and representation in governance. This is in spite of numerous international and national laws that protect women’s rights especially in politics. The poor representation of women in governance has negative implications on policy legislation and national development. In view of these challenges, it becomes necessary to investigate citizens’ perception on the crux of poor women’s representation in Enugu State, Nigeria. The Marxist Feminist theory formed the foundation of this study. Both quantitative and qualitative instruments were utilized in the study. The study covered 17 local governments in the State from which was drawn a sample size of 600. An appropriate questionnaire constituted the quantitative instrument while interview served as the qualitative instrument. Tables and simple percentages were used in the presentation of the quantitative data while descriptive analysis served as the method of analysis. Major findings from the study showed the reinforcing negative impact of patriarchal ideology, poor political party support, low economic status of women, electoral violence, and electoral fraud. To address these challenges, citizens’ value-reorientation through political education, the application of electoral quota system; strengthening of political institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among others were recommended to enhance women’s political status necessary for better policy legislation, and national development