AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN FOSTERING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN ELECTION PROCESSES IN NIGERIA: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study focused on ‘A Critical Analysis of Affirmative Action vis-à-vis the Role of Lawyers in Fostering Women’s Participation in Election Processes in Nigeria’ as its broad objective which also defined the scope and limitation of the study. The research methodology was doctrinal approach, using expository and analytical research design. The main sources of data collection were various legal literatures, both from the physical library and the e-library. For the summary of findings, it was submitted that discrimination against women resulting in their exploitation was traced to so many militating factors not limited to patriarchal hegemony, and that due to these many social ills against women, a few number participate in electoral activities in various forms. It was therefore observed among others that the active participation of women, on equal terms with men,at all levels of decision-making in election processes is essential to the achievement of equality and sustainable development, peace and democracy. Sequel to these, the researcher made some recommendations that lawyers who are legislatures should revive the affirmative action bills concerning women and ensure their passage into law, the National Assembly should amend the Constitution to explicitly define the distinct roles of women in Nigerian election processes, lawyers who are heading government parastatals should discourage any discriminatory policy against women, also the Magistrates, Judges, and Justices should be committed in delivering sound judgments in matters pertaining to discrimination against women to form part of the Nigerian Legal System. Finally, this work is significant to scholars of jurisprudence, feminism and human rights, legal practitioners, politicians and political scientists, as well as the judges/justices in any case relating to women democratic rights.