WOMEN AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: INVESTIGATING WHY WOMEN ARE LESS REPRESENTED IN DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

ABSTRACT

The study is concerned about Women and Political Participation in Nigeria, by investigating Why Women Are Less Represented in Delta State House of Assembly. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. The study adopted the Descriptive Research Design; in which a sample size of 100 were conveniently selected from the study population of registered voters in Delta state; the research instrument bused for the study was through a likert scaled questyionnaire of 20 questions, which was validated by the research supervisor. From 100 instruments distributed, 78 were returned. The Findings of the study revealed that; the consequences of low women representation extend beyond the political sphere, impacting the diversity and effectiveness of decisionmaking processes. By excluding women from leadership roles, Delta State risks perpetuating inequalities and missing out on the diverse perspectives necessary for addressing development challenges. Proactive measures, such as mentorship programs and gender diversity initiatives, are crucial for overcoming these shortfalls and promoting women's participation in governance. The study concluded that; Promoting women's political participation is not only a matter of equity but also a fundamental prerequisite for inclusive and effective governance. Based on the Findings, the study recommended that; Delta State should enact electoral reforms aimed at addressing barriers that disproportionately affect women's participation and representation in political processes. This includes measures to enhance access to political positions, such as reducing the financial burden of running for office and ensuring equitable opportunities for female candidates. Also, Political parties and governmental institutions in Delta State should adopt gender-sensitive policies and practices to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in politics. This could involve initiatives such as gender quotas for party leadership positions and the establishment of gender parity targets for government appointments.