Opportunities and Challenges of Women’s Political Participation in Katsina Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

Vollständiger Abstract

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Women's political participation remains a critical indicator of democratic governance and inclusive development, yet their representation in political leadership continues to be disproportionately low in Northern Nigeria. This study examined the opportunities and challenges associated with women's political participation in Katsina Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study explored the opportunities available for women's active political participation and investigated the challenges hindering their effective involvement in politics. The study was anchored on Liberal Feminist Theory and adopted a mixed-methods research design. The study population comprised 149,226 residents, from which a sample of 400 respondents was selected using the Taro Yamane formula, while 20 participants were purposively selected for Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, KIIs, and FGDs, while secondary data were obtained from relevant scholarly and policy sources. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that although legal and policy frameworks provide opportunities for women's political participation, meaningful participation remains constrained by limited access to financial resources, inadequate support from political parties, weak community and family support, and the absence of mentorship programmes. The study further established that entrenched cultural norms, gender stereotypes, discrimination, and economic barriers significantly hinder women's effective participation in politics, resulting in low political representation, limited influence in decision-making, and increasing political apathy among women. The study concludes that legal provisions alone are insufficient to guarantee meaningful political participation without complementary institutional, economic, and socio-cultural support mechanisms. It therefore recommends strengthening gender-responsive political policies, expanding mentorship and leadership development programmes, providing targeted financial support for female political aspirants, and intensifying public enlightenment to challenge discriminatory socio-cultural norms that restrict women's political participation.