Journal of Socialomics

Abstract

The Nigerian Woman and The Reformation of the Political System: A Historical Perspective

Ingyoroko M, Sugh ET and Alakali Terfa T

The issue of greater involvement of women in politics has been an issue of concern in the public as well as in theacademia. It seems however that most Nigerian governments have mostly paid a lot of lip service to the issue ofwomen involvement in politics without really doing much about it. Both sectors (public and academia) have howeverneglected to recognize that, though, mostly unrecognized and appreciated, historically and culturally Nigerianwomen have not always been relegated to the domestic sphere. This paper examining this issue has looked atwomen’s greater participation in politics in terms of the historical background of women involvement in the public orpolitical spheres of their communities. Also, x-rayed is the necessity for a re-initiated greater participation in thepolitical sphere. In which examining the obstacles that have thus far, hindered women from fully participating inpolitical activities particularly in contesting for elective offices become important. Emphasis is laid on some of theindividual or personal and collective strengths of women that could be of great benefit to the process of sanitizingand stabilizing the Nigerian democratic process. Finally, the paper identified by way of recommendations, some longand short term measures that could enhance a greater reintegration of women in the political sphere. This includesthe sensitization and mobilization of the large women population and the initial employment of the quota strategy.The current male dominated political democratic process is detrimental to Nigeria’s actualization of her social,economic and political development.