GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OSUN STATE (2003- 2010)

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✎: GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OSUN STATE (2003- 2010)

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Keywords: GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OSUN STATE (2003- 2010)

 

RESEARCH BODY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

Women’s aspiration to fully participate in the governance of Nigeria dates back to the pre-colonial era when women contributions to the anti colonial struggle were visible and pronounced in their resistance to the draconian tax policy of the colonial administration.

As pointed out by Akinyode-Afolabi (2006:1), in spite of the significant roles of women before and after independence, the ascendancy of socio-cultural prejudices and inadequate laws had consistently militated against women’s rights, especially political rights. However, the challenge of women’s participation in the political process in Nigeria has gained additional significance, since the return of democratic rule in 1999. The renewed vibrancy and vigour of the women folks and their sympathizers in agitating for an appreciable participatory role for women in the current democratic dispensation has its roots in the many international norms and institutions designed to advance the cause of women.

This aspiration is premised on the grounds that women in Nigeria represent close to half of the population and therefore should be allowed a fair share in decision-making and governance of the country. Added to this is the widely acceptable belief that all human beings are equal and women possess same right as men to participate in governance and public life (Oluajo, 2003).

For the records, in all of Nigeria’s political history including the previous attempts at democratic rule, women were severely side-lined and neglected in terms of representation in government. Although they constitute about 50 percent of the population and 51 percent of voters in elections, women have never had more than three percent representation in national government. With military governments, women have been virtually non-existent in governance of the country (Nwankwo, 2006:19; 1996:7).

Although the Nigerian state is beginning to appreciate the importance of gender mainstreaming in national planning, affirmative action as a means of closing the gap in sectoral development remains a largely contentious issue (Agina-Ude, 2003:22). For example, among the opponents of Affirmative Action in politics and public life are those who question the basis for 30% minimum representation and call for higher or lower targets. They argued that special measure such as the affirmative action, apart from being a patronage, will lead to a lowering of standards and even jettisoning of merit in favour of subjective issue of gender equity.

Such is the level of misgivings about Affirmative Action even among its proponents that there is a preference for reservation of appointive positions over elective offices which tends to reflect the notion that certain types of affirmative action are unfair, unjust and even discriminatory especially in the light of the principle of equality before the law.

However, those favouring the choice of affirmative action for the redress of gender disparities that exist in human development and particularly in the area of politics and public decision- making are not unmindful of the ranging arguments. Instead they believe these arguments had inadvertently aided the development and growth of the concept of Affirmative Action (ibid: 23). Article four of CEDAW- (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) – which obligates states parties to introduce the necessary remedial measure prescribes affirmative policies as temporary and devoid of “separate standards”. It is however noteworthy that the arguments against gender- based affirmative action begin to fade in the light of the successes it had recorded which make it the best option so far for achieving any significant increase in women representation in governments.

For instance, it is now obvious that man (as in the male gender) has from time to time dished out unbelievable doses of injustice to the female gender all in the name of representative governance, and that women must be part of the process that dictates their well- being, welfare, the direction and content of their entire lives. Commenting on the same issue, Momodu (2006:37) has this to say;

Politics is too important for people and women in

particular to be left totally to men, who can hardly

understand women’s concerns and quest to

participate in decision- making………

In a closer reflection on gender- related issues particularly women’s political participation in Nigeria, the question need to be asked whether adequate scholarly attention has been given to the issue in respect of the successes or failures of the affirmative action in redressing the perceived gender imbalance in public decision- making structures.

The need for research in this area is particularly noteworthy given the fact that gender equality, women’s empowerment and women representation in governance seemed to have occupied a central theme in global treaties, covenants and declarations. They are now acknowledged as catalysts to people- centered development strategies and good governments that give men and women equal voices in decision- making and policy implementation, attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as other global and regional targets. To this end, this research work is directed at examining the relevance of the affirmative action in bridging the gap of gender imbalances and disparities in the governance of Osun state under the Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration.

1.2       Statement of the Research Problem

The attainment of gender equality is now an issue of global concern. It is seen as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable human development, especially in the public sphere. The affirmative action is an initiative to redress the question of gender imbalance imposed by centuries of discrimination against women.

In this regard, it is of course relevant and necessary to examine the affirmative action principle much as there is still a lot of misunderstanding and controversy over its implementation. Many countries that have used the principle found it a very useful tool for creating a level playing field for female participation not only in the electoral process but also in democratic governance (WARDC Report, 2003).

Though there have been several newspapers’ reports about the gross under – representation of women in the Nigerian political scene, which is largely regarded as speculative; this study intends to localize the affirmative action in Osun state, so as to ascertain gender disparities in both elective and appointive offices under the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration, 2003-2010.

1.3       Research Questions

i.    What roles did the Gender Action Policy of Osun state set out to achieve since its     inception?

ii.   What is the level of awareness among key decision-makers about gender –related issues?

iii.                Does the exclusion of women from participating in the political process create any vacuum in national development?

iv.                What are the gender specific problems arising from political contest?

1.4              Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives of the study are to:

i.                    examine the Gender Action Plan of Osun state between 2003 and 2010;

ii.                  determine the level of awareness among key decision makers about gender-          related issues;

iii.        investigate gender specific problems arising from political contest.

1.5              Research Hypotheses

i.          The nature of gender action policy of Osun state tends to limit the implementation

of the affirmative action.

ii.         Women representation in the governance of Osun state is possibly determined by

the level of awareness among key decision- makers about gender- related issues.

iii.         Gender equality in the governance of Osun state requires change of attitudes,

beliefs and some cultural practices.

 

Keywords: GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OSUN STATE (2003- 2010)

 


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Keywords: GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OSUN STATE (2003- 2010)

 


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