SIR: Just as the old saying goes what a man can do, a woman can do better and this cannot be excluded in the aspect of leadership across the Nigeria socio-political sector yet the conversation has always being thrown under the carpet in the Nigerian socio-political space despite the success of women as head of ministries, department and agencies across the Nigerian socio-political space.
Globally, the issues of women marginalisation and low participation in political leadership and decision making have been attracting a lot of attention and the African Continent had suffered more casualties in the socio-political space due to the patriarchy and the ideology of giving preference to the male gender irrespective of the competence and qualification of the female candidate which has stifled the chances of women competing for top management and political space across the continent.
According to 2006 Nigerian population census figure, women constituted 49 per cent of the total population, but there has been a gross gender gap between men and women, especially in political representation, economic management and leadership.
However, the situation does not disclose or exclude the fact that women in Nigeria have made meaningful contribution to the socio-economic success of the country, making key decision that facilitate growth, stability and progress to any organisation despite the circumstance and the limitation they have always encountered with the rise of patriarch and gender crisis across the continent.
Women in Africa have risen against the patriarch ideology of a woman’s role starts and ends in the kitchen serving her husband; historical perspective and liberal movement of the feminist conscious had opened up an insight that has proved how the women have fought against being relegated to the bottom ladder of the society hereby no one wants to recognise them for certain strategic moves and positions within the public space: With the rise of this awareness they have been creating movement such as #me-too movement against gender abuse: Women took it to the political forefront in Nigeria questioning and petitioning the Senate and members of the House of Assembly on the inclusion of more women to participate more in the political activities of the country prior to the 2023 General Election.
Scenario such as this pose what the women can do and the powers and what they can achieve if they are given the political drive, will and support required in attaining a political post or management post.
Researchers have demonstrated that the Nigerian government has failed to protect women’s rights and advance gender equality in political leadership; consequently, women’s political participation in Nigeria is low and it is important to bring this notion that more women are needed in the socio political space in Nigeria.
Women are known to be nurturers across the world and they are much more important to us in the society as we believe that their participation in the political space will be of great advantage as it will create a balance and help one another.
The leadership roles played by both Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Mrs. Margaret Ekpo in the Nigerian pre-independence political struggles of the 1950s are incontrovertible. Kuti was a strong advocate and campaigner for women’s rights across the country. Ekpo, on her part, was the only female member of the seven-man committee set up in 1951 to organise a national political organisation geared toward achieving self-government within five years. She became the vice president of the Eastern House of Chiefs in 1959. Indeed, it may well be that the women who spearheaded the 1929 Aba Women’s Riots in South-Eastern Nigeria were the precursors and role models of the two better known female political activists. Many other women such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have also played a major in the socio-economic structure of the country.
In the pre-colonial and colonial, Nigeria women never enjoyed parity with men in issues of governance; the same is witnessed in the post-colonial era. The history of political transformation in Nigeria is replete with issues of male domination, and women tokenism in participation in public affairs. The military era provided women with the least opportunity to challenge the structure of gender inequalities, as military promoted female subordinate position in the society through the ‘First Lady’ syndrome under such arrangements, the ‘Women’s question’ was treated within the private interests of wives of political leaders which changed how women were perceived.
Maryann Iberuche is a social commentator and national women leader of Fix Nigeria Group.
Underrepresentation, gender inequality, male dominance, women’s empowerment, spousal support/approval, financial support, and legislation reform are some of the issues that will be solved if women are largely represented in the socio political. It is believed that equal agreement between both gender parties can solve the issue of gender discrimination and issue within the political space.
The involvement of women in politics will enhance and improve the fundamental human right and the democratic development of any nation when there are no disparities when it comes to decision that pertains the country. The involvement of women will also build a healthy relationship for countries and its citizen.
Positive social change are to educate the public, inform policy makers, and create legislative initiatives to support an equitable society in Nigeria in which women can participate fully in the political process. These acts will bring the people together to embark on forum that will help build the society and make it better.
Communal behaviour patterns are considered nurturing and socially oriented and emerge mainly among women; wherein agent are competitive and achievement oriented behaviour patterns and tend to emerge more among men. A balanced view of leadership can help build and shape our value system. To increase the level of women participation in politics, there is the need for sensitisation of women to political participation, creating enabling environment for women to participate in politics by economic empowerment and adequate education of women for political participation.
It is important to eradicate all discriminatory policies against women, by reviewing the structure and operational guidelines of political parties. Financial support should be provided for women political aspirants.
Maryann Iberuche is a social commentator and national women leader of Fix Nigeria Group.
