Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 8, No. 2, 2010
Pages 205-216
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/0102.80.0280
Gender, Political Participation and the Feminization of Poverty in Nigeria
M. A ‘Seun Olutayo
Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social Science and Entrepreneurial Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
This paper examines the implications of poverty for female participation in politics. Specifically, it focuses on the role of culture and political economy which persistently engenders the feminization of poverty with adverse implication for female political participation. It does this by using the qualitative method of data collection to elucidate gender imbalance as represented by male dominance and female under representation in politics in Oyo state. In emphasizing the mutability of the existing constraints to the political participation of women in Oyo state, Nigeria, the paper underscores the extent to which economic powerlessness or poverty and other social factors will continue 10 inhibit women’s participation and representation. As such, except there is a fundamental transformation of the social structure. (he realization of the female gender in politics will only be of theoretical relevance as its practicability is almost impossible!