Nigerian Women, Solidarity, and Stereotypical Gender Structures: Implications for Political Participation.

Abstract

Nigeria ranks 143rd in terms of political empowerment, according to the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, with a score of 0.036. Despite improvements in Nigeria’s
overall scores in the recent Global Gender Index, political participation remain a significant challenge. The country consistently ranks among the 10 countries with
the lowest scores in political participation, reflecting the ongoing issues in Nigerian political engagement. This study shifts from the typical discussions on gender
inclusion and disparity to an in-depth analysis of how women have contributed to their underrepresentation in Nigerian politics to address the following questions:
(1) How do stereotypical gender structures limit women’s support for each other? (2) How do Nigerian women perceive the role of solidarity in their political
engagement? The study explores women’s contributions and the intra-gender reinforcement of stereotypical patriarchal norms that hinder solidarity among Nigerian
women, leading to their marginalization in political participation. The qualitative data for this research are derived from conversations between the researcher and
three Nigerian female politicians, analyzed through the lens of Social Role Theory and Intersectionality Theory. Existing literature reveals that patriarchy and
culture influence what I would refer to as cultural brainwashing, which contributes to an inferiority complex rooted in the beliefs and traditions of the women’s
populace. There is also a problem of an irrational distribution of gender roles. Consequently, the findings from data collected through interviews reveal other
hidden issues among Nigerian women that impede their political growth.