Assessment of the impact of women legislator in law-making in houses of assembly, Southwest Nigeria(2003-2005)
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Political science,Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
This study appraised the participatory role of women in law-making process at the Nigeria’s Southwest Houses of Assembly and ascertained the impact of women in legislative functions of State Houses of Assembly in Southwest Nigeria. It also examined women legislators’ challenges and experiences in democratic field. These were with a view to providing information on the output and impact of women in decision making body that could enhance democratic stability, unity, peace and governance in State Houses of Assembly in Southwest, Nigeria.
The study made use of primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary data was sourced through structured interview of 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 based on the presence of fairly large number of women in their State Houses of Assembly. The criterion for their selection was based on their expert knowledge of politics. A total number of 24 respondents were interviewed in the three states. This number is due to the fact that there is less women in politics in proportion to men, hence the sample size. In each state, eight respondents: 2 women legislators, 3 women leaders of political parties and 3 members of the Houses of Assembly were interviewed using purposive sampling method. The rationale for their selection was based on their practical knowledge and active involvement in partisan politics as card-carrying members of various political parties. Secondary data were sourced from books, articles, journals, newspapers and other published and unpublished materials. Data collected were analysed using content analysis.
The results showed that women legislators have been very participatory in legislative debates especially as relating to law-making functions despite their low representation. The results also showed Private Member Bills are not a common activity in the Southwest Houses of Assembly in Nigeria due to its rigor and lack of support from NGOs or organisations but that women legislators have sponsored diverse motions and bills which have been of social benefit especially for women and children. Finally, the results affirmed that, factors such as shunning of ideas and motions, lack of equal knowledge of partisan politics, lack of adequate education, lack of trust accompanied by gossips and political competition, discrimination and marriage, late night meetings and sitting are the challenges women legislators in Southwest Nigeria are faced with.
The study concluded that the women legislators has been participatory in the law making process and have positively performed legislative functions in Houses of Assembly, Southwest Nigeria.
Description
xiii, 141p
Keywords
Law-making, House of assembly, Legislator, Law, Political parties
Citation
Agunbiade,A.T (2016). Assessment of the impact of women legislator in law-making in houses of assembly, Southwest Nigeria(2003-2005). Obafemi Awolowo University