POLITICAL PARTY PARTICIPATION AND THE ALIENATION OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Abstract

The study investigated the extent of inclusiveness of women in political party participation in Nigeria. It examined if women have equal opportunities in the political parties to take part in party planning and campaign activities, contest party leadership positions, get nominated for political party primary elections, and the implications to democratic progress. The paper posited that the level of participation of women in political party activities of the various political parties in Nigeria is low and that the low level is alienation. The study adopted a survey. The Benin City Metropolis was the study area. Findings from the study show that the degree of opportunities for participation in political party activities by women is low, that these groups of persons are not encouraged by the various political parties but excluded from participating in sensitive and critical leadership and elective activities, which amounts to alienation. The study states that the lack of acceptance and equal opportunities for women in political party participation negates international and national laws and the concept of democratic development. Therefore, the government should use the appropriate agencies to
monitor the inclusiveness of underrepresented groups in political party activities; members of the political parties are to be sensitized to adhere to the democratic principles to ensure fairness, equity, respect for fundamental rights of persons and unbridled participation of all in the democratic project among others.