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The Marginalization Of Women In Politics And Its Effects On The Development Of Women
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
In all human societies exists marginalization whereby individuals or groups considered undesirable are excluded or removed from the prevalent systems of protection and integration, thereby limiting their opportunities and means for survival (Anupkumar 2008). The question of who is being marginalized often comes to mind as people lay claims to ethnic ties, gender, religion, race, educational status and social class as reasons for marginalization. In reality, marginalization is of the under-privileged, the non elites whose slum dwellings are routinely demolished, who are evicted from urban centers, whose livelihood sources are criminalized, whose unemployment has reached pandemic proportions and whose living conditions have been permanently made hellish and unbearable (Gaskia 2013).
All over the globe, marginalization exist in different forms. Examples, in part of india and south Asia, there is a strong preference for having sons, girls are perceived as financial burden for the family due to small income contributions and costly dowry demands (Brett 1989), in mexico, the high murder and disappearance rate of young women has received international attention for the last ten years (Zeleza 2003). Among the various types of marginalization that exist around the world, political marginalization is the worst form (Young 2000).
The essence of political participation in any society either civilized or primitive is to seek control of power, acquisition of power, dispensing power to organize society, harness and distribute resources and to influence decision making in line with organized or individual interest (Arowolo and Abe 2008). Arguments are on the increase on the specific role women should play in the society and the role they are currently playing. Opinions are divided on the whether the roles of women are predominantly in the home fronts or women can also engage in other socio-economic and political activities like their male counterparts. It is however believed that the natural relationship between mother and child may compel and confine her to sedentary activities, it is also important that such a mother contributes her quota to the development of that of her family and her society at large (Folorunso 2010). Political participation as one of the tenets of democracy is found to be liberal and unrestrictive, subscribing to this, Okolie 2004 perceives political participation as freedom of expression, association, right to free flow of communication, right to influence decision making process, the right to social justice, health services, better working conditions and opportunity for franchise’’.
In Nigeria, despite the significant roles of women before and after independence, the development of women economically, socially and politically is still wanting. Politics though remains an integral part of democracy bearing the traditional definition which characterizes it as excluding women, it needs to be stressed that women’s political right remain an integral part of human rights therefore it is generally a necessary aspect of any democratic framework (Abiola 2004). Women’s aspiration to participate in governance in Nigeria is premised on the following ground that;
women in Nigeria represent almost half of the population s(census 2006), hence should be allowed a fair share in decision making and governance
Secondly, that all human beings are equal and women posses the same r ights as men to participate in governance and public affairs (Nda 2003).
The right to democratic governance is an entitlement conferred upon all citizens by law. In southern Nigeria , women traditionally had economically important positions in interregional trade and markets. They worked on farms as major sources and had influential positions in traditional systems of local organizations (Obasi 2002). However, not on till 1979 that women in northern Nigeria were given the opportunity to vote and be voted for following the return to civilian rule. Northern Nigeria has the lowest percentage of women in politics (UNICEF 2000). It is from this back drop that this research will focus on marginalization of women in politics and its effects on the development of women in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
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