A comparative analysis of women's participation in politics in South Africa and Nigeria (2008-2016)

Abstract

Universally, women's participation in politics has been recognized as an imperative to elevate the status of women in any nation. Consequently, in recent years, women's participation and representation in government issues and basic leadership has received huge consideration. There have been different policies implemented to improve and elevate the status of women in the political realm. Yet, women continue to be under-represented in basic leadership posit ions. This research examined the role of women in politics in South Africa and Nigeria as well as the different challenges that are impediments to their participation. Additionally, the study sought to find out the facto rs responsible for more the under-representation of women in politics in South Africa against Nigeria. For this purpose, qualitative research methodology was utilized. Data for the study was sourced,mainly from journal articles, books, government reports and materials from the internet. In the course of this study factors such as unfavorable legislation and traditions, religious barriers, uneven societal structure, colonial legacy, socio-economic factors, lack of basic education, attitudes of law makers were discovered as some of the major factors responsible for women's under representation in politics in both countries. However, unlike Nigeria, South Africa has made some strides in addressing some of these constraints by establishing structures and implement policies which have enhanced the participation of women in politics in the country to some extent.