WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: A POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR APPROACH

Abstract

Since 1999, the number of women in both elective and appointive positions in Nigeria have been regrettably low. Several studies have explained the reasons for the low participation and performance of women in politics such as sociocultural and religious practices, unhealthy political environment and political party discrimination. None of these studies have placed much emphasis on the political behaviour of women towards women participation in politics. This paper therefore will critically examine the behaviour of women towards women participation in politics. The paper used secondary sources of data and qualitative content analysis as its method of data analysis. The paper found out that women oppose the participation of their fellow women in politics due to religious beliefs, customs and traditions and most notably, individual sentiments such as greed, envy and jealousy. This paper concludes that until there is a change in the political behaviour of women towards women, women participation and performance in politics will continue to low. The study recommends that quotas should be introduced to increase women participation and political parties in Nigeria should guarantee active women participation in party leadership positions by setting aside slots exclusively for women as well as rotating key party positions between the male and female gender.