GENDER ISSUES AND WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS: A CASE STUDY OF OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

The study investigated gender issues and women participation in politics: a case study of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The population of the study comprised residents of Oredo local government council which is given as 374,671. A sample of 120 was derived from the population using the Taro Yamane formular. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. One instrument titled �Gender Issues and Women Participation in Politics Questionnaire� (GIWPPQ)� was used to collect data for the study. The questionnaire was structured based on the research questions. The analysis was done using frequencies, percentages and mean for the research questions and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics was used to test the hypotheses. Findings from the analysis revealed that women's rights promoted women's participation in politics. Educational attainment contributed to women's participation in politics. The result also showed that economic empowerment contributed to women's participation in politics. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Nigerian constitution should guarantee and uphold the rights of women and men by ensuring that both genders have equal legal and human rights in political participation in the country. International conventions and treaties should be domesticated into the Nigerian electoral laws by increasing sensitization of women towards political participation, and creating an enabling environment for women to participate in politics should be prioritized by relevant stakeholders. Nigerian government need to introduce and expand integrated and functional adult literacy programmes in both rural and urban areas. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should reduce the cost of obtaining the tickets to run in an election. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs should strengthen and create a mutual relationship with community-based women�s groups, organizing training programmes, relevant vocational skills; providing credit facilities to women artisans, traders and agricultural workers.