Evaluating Gender Inequalities And Inclusion In Political Participation

This study evaluated gender inequalities and the level of inclusion in political participation across North-East Nigeria. The research examined the extent of political awareness among citizens, the socio-cultural and economic barriers affecting women’s engagement, and the strategies that support inclusive political processes. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 234 respondents across the six states in the region using a structured questionnaire administered through Google Forms. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that political awareness in the region is relatively high, with most respondents demonstrating knowledge of voting rights and interest in political discussions. However, active involvement in political activities such as party membership and participation in rallies remains low. The study further found strong evidence of gender inequality, as women continue to face significant barriers, including discrimination within political parties, restrictive cultural norms, limited financial resources, domestic responsibilities, and exposure to gender-based violence. Although civil society organizations, media campaigns, and selected government programs contribute to enhancing women’s inclusion, the implementation of gender policies within political parties remains weak and inconsistent. The study concludes that improving women’s political participation requires a multi-dimensional approach that addresses socio-cultural norms, economic constraints, institutional discrimination, and security challenges. It recommends strengthened gender policies in political parties, increased civic education, expanded mentorship programs, improved economic empowerment initiatives, and active support from traditional and religious leaders.