Revista de Ciências Políticas e Assuntos Públicos
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Women’s Political Participation and Representation in State Legislatures, Southwest, Nigeria

Adedayo Oluwaseun Adefemi and Ayodeji Temitope Agunbiade

This study appraised the participation of women legislators in law-making process at the Houses of Assembly, Southwest Nigeria. It highlighted women legislators’ challenges, experiences and contributions with a view to providing information on the representation and participation level of women in law-making in Nigeria. Structured interviews were conducted with key respondents consisting of purposively selected women legislators, women leaders of political parties and members of Houses of Assembly in Lagos, Ekiti and Oyo States. A total number of 24 respondents were interviewed in the three states. Data collected were analysed using content analysis. Results showed that women legislators have been highly involved in legislative debates by sponsoring diverse motions despite their low representation in the selected State Houses of Assemblies. Also, results affirmed that, factors such as shunning of ideas and motions, lack of equal knowledge of partisan politics, lack of adequate education, discrimination, marriage, late night meetings and sittings remain some of the challenges that women legislators in Southwest Nigeria face. To overcome these problems, the study recommended, the development of electoral reforms that promote equitable representation of women.