AN ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS IN KADUNA STATE, A STUDY OF 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Abstract

It is believed that women's participation in politics results in tangible gains for democracy including greater responsiveness to citizens needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace. Women form 47% of the total number of registered voters in the country. Kaduna state recorded about 3.92 million registered voters putting the State as third largest in terms of voters registered. However, only 13 women contested for the National assembly from the State. The main objective of this paper is to assess women participation in politics in Kaduna state using the 2019 elections as a case study. The study employed the mixed method approach, and linear regression was used in analyzing the data collected. The study revealed that patriarchy hinders women from contesting in the elections. This results in gender based discriminations. The study also found that the financial strength of the women affects their full participation in politics. Educational background was found to be a key factor in the choice of female candidates in the 2019 election. The study concludes that despite measures put in place by government at all levels in enhancing the choice of women in the elections and their active participation in politics, there is need for more to be done. The study therefore recommends more rigorous enlightenment program and campaign on the benefits of women participation in politics, they should also be encouraged to have access and control of financial assets to actively contest in elections with the aim to win.