Women And Political Discrimination In Ekiti State; Using Four Local Government Areas As A Case Study

ABSTRACT

This research study laid emphasis on the issue of women and political discrimination in the society c:ind has been a major concern for social analysts, law enforcement agencies and human rights activists across the country. It is pertinent to note that discrimination against women in politics is the unfavourable treatment of women in the political sphere or arena which results in their unfavourable position within the distribution of all important political resources and it is based on tl)e logic of the patriarchal system of political power. This research study work was directed towards establishing the nature of participation of women in politics, the level which they have attained, the hindrances and what should be made to improve. the level of participation in politics and to drastically reduce the rate of political discrimination against women. The major objective of this research is to explore discrimination against women in politics, to examine the factors encouraging political discrimination against women, to explore the effects of active participation of women in politics of Ekiti state and also to explore strategies to be adopted in order to ensure active participation of women in politics using four Local Government Areas in Ekiti state namely Oye, Ikole, Ilejemeje, Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government Areas as case studies. Data collection was solely based on primary means through the use of questionnaires administered to [200] respondents from Oye, Ikole, Ilejemeje, Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government Areas. Random sampling technique was adopted so as to aid easy accessibility. Data generated from the data collection through questionnaire were analyzed and interpreted quantitatively to bring out required results. Findings revealed that, 74% of the respondents believe that there is political discrimination against women, 78% of the resp9ndents agreed that women are not allowed' equal opportunity to participate in politics like men. Exactly 74% of the respondents negated that women are more corrupt than men; less than 30% of the respondents indicated that the knowledge of women politically is too low. 72% of the respondent concurred to the statement that religious beliefs does not allow women to be placed above men, 80% of the respondents approved that culture does not allow women to be above men. 94% of the respondents believe that women should courageous enough to compete with· men, 79% believed women should be running mates for men in political positions. It was recommended that women should be courageous to compete with men; stop demonstrating inferiority complex, love themselves, speak in one voice and support themselves politically. Women should be politically conscious; women should be well represented in political parties. There should be legislation by the government to curb and eradicate discrimination against women in politics, and there should be a quota reserved for women in political offices.