ETHICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

Abstract

Women, due to certain structural and functional constraints, are yet to achieve a favorable and expected position in societal politicking. Despite various women’s liberation movements geared towards women’s emancipation and increased involvement in politics, Nigerian women who account for 49.4% of the voting population, are yet to translate their numerical strength to electoral victory. This paper, therefore, advocates for increased women’s participation by identifying ethical principles which underpin women’s political participation. These principles are utilized to challenge existing religious and sexist classifications of women as politically inferior and mediocre. These classifications are identified as primary reasons for the poor participation of women in politics and governance. Based on the enumerated ethical principles, this paper recommends increased political participation while recognizing challenges to such increased participation. Utilizing the analytic and synthetic methods of research, it argues that these salient ethical principles demand healthy political environments, characterized by equal representation in governance and proper participation of women in politics, all of which engender social justice and the common good.