Women Leadership and Political Participation in Africa (A Study of Nigeria and Ghana)

Abstract:

This study carried out an empirical analysis of women leadership and political participation in Africa with an empirical focus in Nigeria and Ghana. Data for the study were generated through secondary sources which includes Worldbank, World Development Index (WDI) and Political Reports (PR). The methodology used in the study is a documentary comparative analysis. The theoretical framework employed for this study is Kanter’s “Glass-Ceiling Theory” (1977). The major findings of the study is that despite the relevance of women in the politics of Africa, women in this continent are still grossly underrepresented. It is worth noting that Ghanaian and Nigerian women are still disenfranchised as a result of the country's leadership style. It is therefore the recommendation of this study that political parties in Nigeria and Ghana should establish a support network for aspiring female politicians by pairing them with experienced female politicians who will serve as mentors and provide capacity building for young or aspiring female politicians in order to enhance and develop them ahead of future elections and secondly, to develop an environment that empowers African women to participate actively in decision-making in a sustainable and effective manner that is free of all forms of violence and harassment.