WOMEN AND POLITICS IN NIGERIA: STRATEGIZING FOR 2015

Abstract

For Eme Edith and millions of other Nigerian women, taking part in elective politics is not easy.
Women often do not receive the support and mentoring they need to compete with their male
counterparts. In turn, many voters do not fully appreciate the benefits of having a mix of men and
women in government. As a result, there is currently a low representation of women at all levels
of government in Nigeria. In the country’s general election in 2011, female candidates fared
poorly, with only 32 women elected to the national parliament out of 469 members, which is
barely 8% representation. To address this, the paper suggests providing budding female
politicians with training and support, complemented by community enlightenment campaigns.
With this assistance, Nigerian women, will now be better equipped to participate in forthcoming
national and local elections in Nigeria come 2015.