Gender Inequality and Women Participation in Governance in Enugu State

An Evaluation from 2007-2011

Abstract

Gender inequality and the attendant consequences constitute impediments to societal progress. The effect of gender inequality on women participation in governance and its implication on Nigerian political development is not in doubt. Nigeria and Enugu State in particular is not left out of the gender imbalances and its effect on participation of women in governance cannot be overemphasized. The extent to which this anomaly has been resolved or redressed is the concern of this study. Marxist Feminism was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis to explain the domination, exploitation, oppression and suppression of women by men. The study relied on secondary sources of data and employed qualitative and content methods of data analysis. It was noted that governance in Enugu State has been predominantly men’s affairs, the number of women in public positions still fall below the 35% as provided by National Gender Policy of 2006. It was revealed that gender inequality exacerbated by socio-cultural factors accounted for women underrepresentation in governance. The study recommended that gender imbalances in all facets of lives in Enugu state should be abolished. The implementation of 35% Affirmative Action and adoption of quota system of representation for women will bridge the gap between men and women in governance.