GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN POLICY MAKING IN DUTSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the study

Gender discrimination can have far-reaching consequences on Policy making in various aspects of life, including personal, social and professional settings. This assessment aims to examine the gender discrimination on Political Participation.

Gender discrimination is a persuasive issue that affects individuals, communities and societies worldwide. It manifests in various forms, including unequal access to education, employment, healthcare, and policy making opportunities. Policy making is a critical aspect of personal and professional life, is not immune to the influences of gender discrimination.

The struggle for gender equality dates back to the early 20th century, with the women's suffrage movement. Since then, significant progress has been made in promoting gender equality, including the adoption of international conventions, national laws, and politics. However, despite these efforts, gender discrimination persists, affecting various aspects of life, including policy making.

There are functional responsibilities that are giving to men and women by society and are influenced by the cultural, political, economic, religious and social situation. It is worth nothing that where women and men have equal conditions for realising their full human rights and potentials to contribute to and benefit from development such society tends to develop faster. Thus, taking in to account their similarities, differences and the various roles they play, gender discrimination is often identified as a key issue in economic development of emerging economies.

Women seem to be discriminated against in politics in Nigeria and the few of them that get elected or appointed to political positions have so much to contend with as it is believed to be the world of men. The number of women who even dare contesting elections in Nigeria is minimal as politics here is actually money politics, many women are unable to afford the huge sum of money that this requires along with the fact that the society sees women are not being cut out for such in view of the nature of politics in Nigeria.

Gender discrimination is a multifaceted concept that incorporates both opportunities and outcomes. This study aims to investigate the gender discrimination on Political Participate and Policy Making in Nigeria, with a focus on identifying the extent to which gender discrimination influences policy making outcomes, and exploring the underlying factors that contribute to these discriminatory practices.

1.2       Statement of the problem

Assessment of the gender discrimination on Political Participate and Policy Making in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted.

Promoting gender equality can be an economic game changer. The IMF's latest economic review of Nigeria's economy says closing the gender gap would mean higher growth and productivity greater economic stability. Women’s equal participation in governance is, therefore, an important end in itself, recognition of their right to speak and be heard. More broadly, it is a means to social transformations. Decisions made and policies implemented by governance institutions at global, national and local levels help to shape perceptions of the roles that women and men play in society, as well as determining their access to rights and resources. Involving women in defining these policies and processes, and in influencing the institutions that produce them, makes it more likely they will respond to the different  needs and situations of both women and men, and contribute to development.

However, poor systems of governance result in widespread discrimination related to sex, race, colour, religion and political opinion. Looking across the world, persistent and pervasive gender disparities continue to exist. In Dutse local government area Jigawa state, women and men do not have an equal level of political representation, freedom of association and expression. Employment and career structures, public sector also favour men above women. Discrimination persists the weak governance, entrenched patriarchy, cultural stereotypes, institutional bias in service delivery, and lack of enforcement of gender equality policies. And it operates through employment structures that favour men, political party systems that marginalize women, unequal access to services, and negative cultural perceptions that brand politically active women as “rebels.” (Adamu & Mekki, 2012). Service delivery systems are discriminating, and services are more accessible to men than to women, although neither poor men nor poor women fare well in respect. The society sees fare well in respect. Women who go to politics as ‘rebels’ and prostitutes; this attitude deters women from participating in politics.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

             i.            To identify the causes of gender discrimination on women Political Participate and Policy Making in Dutse L.G.A.

           ii.            To identify the effects of gender discrimination on women participation in Political and Policy Making in Dutse L.G.A.

         iii.            To analyse challenges hindering women participation in Political and decision Making in Dutse L.G.A.

         iv.            To find out an appropriate solution to the problem of gender discrimination on political participation and policy making in Dutse LGA.

1.4       Research Questions

        i.            What are the causes of Gender discrimination of women on political participation and policy making in Dutse L.G.A?

      ii.            How does gender discrimination affect women participation in politics and policy making in Dutse L.G.A?

    iii.            What are the challenges Hindering Women to participate in politics and decision/policy making in Dutse L.G.A?

    iv.            What are the solution to the challenges of women participation in Political Participation and policy making in Dutse L.G.A?

1.5       Significance of the Study

Here are the Significance of this study:

i.                    Improved Policy Making: By identifying the effects of gender discrimination on Policy making, this study can inform strategies to promote more inclusive and equitable policy making in Nigeria.

ii.                  Enhanced Gender Equality: The findings of this study can contribute to the development policies and programs aimed at promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

iii.                Better Resource Allocation: By highlighting the effect of gender discrimination on resource allocation, this study can inform more equitable distribution of resources.

iv.                Contributing to Existing Literature: This study contributes to the existing body of research on gender discrimination on Policy making, providing new insights and perspectives.

v.                  Empowering Women and Girls: The findings of this study can inform strategies to empower women and girls, promoting their participation in Policy Making and Political processes.

1.6       Scope of the Study

The study will focus on government institutions at the national, state or local level, depending on the research design and availability of data. The study will examine the effect of gender discrimination on Political Participate and Policy Making in Dutse LGA over a specific period of 2025, such as several years or decades. By defining the scope of the Study, researchers can ensure that their investigation is focused, manageable, and relevant to the research question.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

The study limits itself on effect of gender discrimination on decision-making in government within Dutse local government area of Jigawa state due to the time frame under which the research shall be completed. Furthermore, the rationale behind the choice of Dutse local government as the case study is primarily because it is the local government closer to the researcher as such she is adequately familiar with the environment and absolute source of collecting accurate and reliable data from the approved sources. The researcher encountered some logistic problems in carrying out the research such as finance, tax books, time distance from the place of collecting primary data and lack of cooperation from the respondents as well as inadequate primary and secondary data.

1.8       Historical Background of the Study Area

Dutse Meaning "rock" got its name from the sully rocks which surrounded the district headquarter and covered approximate area of over seven (7) miles it's qualified the name (Gadawur) legend of the people speak of an early eprech of a great thinker called (Dunamagu) a Kanuri man who first discovered Dutse nicknamed (Gadawur) as a reach hunting ground for gaseous. The hunter was said to have notice of sudden crossing of a antelope taken by surprise, he  said it is just now I saw an antelope crossed therefore these word of hunter antelope where the origin of Gadawur but ample historical evidence available suggested that Dutse have been existing as politically organized Kingdom for more than six hundred (600)years the Kano chronicles for instance related about a war between Sarkin Kano Abdullahi Buraga and Dutse in the first half of the 15th century nevertheless, in the opening years of 19th century as a result of jihad piloted by Usman Dan Fodio Dutse lost its independence status a historical fact available indicated, suffice it to the champion of jihad movement in Dutse.

Here is building of Dutse wall should be noted that write from the word go that the wall should not be confused without build by the old man to encircle Garu area, the wall had about thirteen (13) gates suggesting a very large town and the gates as follows :

1.      Kofar Maranjuwa

2.      Kofar Birtulan

3.      Kofar Yina

4.      Kofar Bukka

5.      Kofar Galamawa

6.      Kofar Ma'ai

7.      Kofar Galari

8.      Kofar Tago

9.      Kofar Kachi

10.  Kofar Rariya kokiya

11.  Kofar Galadimawa

12.  Kofar Gadadin

13.  Kofar Zai

However it should be noted that now not all the wall are existing but according to one information said during his childhood remand of the wall existed. There is a little to doubt that these walls was built for protection purpose against external invasion that’s signifies remarkable progress in the act of warfare and defense and also could served some economic benefit to settlers.

Dutse As a district was created in (1908) again in accordance with political and economic reorganization smooth exploitation by 15th colonialist

The area of the district was about 730 square miles in 1923 the emir of Kano split Dutse district into two Dutse district help the north and south village of the former district and Kiyawa district which start from Shuwarin to the easterm corner of the former district. The former has 33 villages while the later has 25 villages. Therefore presently, Dutse District covers an areas of three hundrend and eighty six (386) miles more over the most significant political development in the history of  Dutse Metropolis was elevations of Dutse to an emirate with an emir of first class Status in (1981) by famous governor of Kano  State Alhaji Abubakar Rimi appointed Alhaji Abdullahi Mai Kano seat as the first class emir of  Dutse. But unfortunately this status was abolished early in October, 1983 by newly elected PRP regime of Kano State Musale Bakin Zuwo, who reverted Dutse to the Status of the metropolis in Kano emirate boundaries. Dutse is situated between Latitude 11 degree 58n, 90 degree to 90 degree and 45 degree it is bordered in the west by Gaya and in the north by Ringim , it is also shares borders with Kyiwa in the eastern south –east with Buji Local Government in the south and south west with Takai and Albasu north west and lastly Gaya in the rural east.

1.      Agriculture

Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the people living in the area although many people public servants but still agriculture remain the major occupation of the people. Generally of light sandy in nature but includes a certain amount of what is called Dabaro (the same as what heavier soil suitable for the productivity of guinea corn) the main important crop produce and consumed by the people.

2.      Trade

A part from agriculture , the other means by which people support themselves are trader and these connected to dry season occupation, these include weaving, poultry, making blacksmithing leather work, hunting and also local mat making , all these trade help people adequate and efficiently sustainably sustain.

3.      Population

Dutse is one of the Local Government located in north central Nigeria. It is the capital city of Jigawa State according to the census conducted in (1991) Dutse metropolis has a population of 138,451 people.

Moreover, census conducted in Nigeria during (2006) has indicated that population of Dutse Metropolis has arose to about 251,135 people and it has been estimated of Dutse Metropolis has a population of about 430,539 according to PS. Bureau of Statistics Zaharaddin A. Tanko, (2024) Census.

1.9 Definition of the key terms

Assessment: Assessment refers to the systematic evaluation or appraisal of the impact, effectiveness, or quality of something. In this study, assessment refers to the evaluation of the effect of gender discrimination on decision-making in government.

Gender: Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expectations, and norms that societies assign to individuals based on their perceived biological sex (male or female). It encompasses a wide range of identities and expressions that go beyond biological differences, reflecting cultural, social, and psychological aspects of being male, female, or non-binary.

Discrimination: Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on specific characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. It involves actions or policies that result in unequal opportunities, privileges, or rights, often leading to exclusion, marginalization, or disadvantage for the affected individuals or groups.

Gender Discrimination: Gender discrimination refers to the unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their gender, which can result in unequal access to resources, opportunities, and services. Gender discrimination can take many forms.

Decision Making: Decision making refers to the process of selecting a course of action from available alternatives. In government decision-making involves policymakers, bureaucrats, and other stakeholders working together to develop, implement, and evaluate policies and programs.