WOMEN'S POLITICAL REPRESENTATION AND GOVERNANCE IN NASARAWA STATE

Abstract

The problem of entrenched patriarchy and institutional barriers that continue to marginalize women in Nigeria’s political landscape necessitated this study, as women remain largely underrepresented in governance despite their demographic strength and proven leadership potential. This gender imbalance in political institutions has contributed to weak inclusivity, inequitable policy outcomes, and governance inefficiencies in states like Nasarawa. Therefore, this study examined the impact of women’s representation in political institutions on governance in Nasarawa State. Guided by the Social Capital Theory, which emphasizes the value of networks, trust, and collaboration in achieving collective societal goals, the study justified its adoption on the premise that women’s political inclusion fosters social cohesion, participatory governance, and accountability. The study employed a survey design using questionnaire administered to female politicians, party officials, civil society members, and electoral officers, complemented by secondary data sourced from relevant documents. The questionnaire data were analyzed using simple percentages, while the secondary data were qualitatively analyzed through content analysis. Findings revealed that women’s representation in political institutions enhances the overall quality of governance through improved policy formulation, equitable resource distribution, stronger community engagement, inter-agency collaboration, and increased public trust. Moreover, women’s active participation in decision-making processes significantly strengthened transparency, accountability, and policy outcomes by minimizing policy mismanagement, promoting fairness, improving ethical standards, and ensuring responsible governance. The study recommends among others the need to institutionalize mechanisms that, promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct through women’s active involvement in oversight and policy evaluation committees, through establishment of gender-balanced monitoring bodies that will help in detecting policy irregularities early, ensuring fair implementation, and enhancing citizens’ trust in public institutions.

Keywords: Women’s representation, Political institutions, Governance, Gender equality, Nasarawa State

DOI: www.doi.org/10.36349/fujpam.2025.v4i02.007

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author/Prof.Ogah Musa Ari, Abubakar Musa Agwai II & Ahmed Ibrahim

journal/FUJPAM Vol. 4, No. 2