Participation of Women with Disabilities in Nigeria's 2023 General Elections

• In Event: Disability Representation and Policy Views

Abstract

It is a fundamental right that all citizens, regardless of gender, class, race, or ability, must participate in the political process. However, women with disabilities (WWDs) in Nigeria and many other emerging democracies often experience difficulties exercising this right due to legal, institutional, cultural, administrative, communication, environmental, and attitudinal barriers. This is despite the various treaties, reforms, and policies aimed at facilitating the political inclusion of WWDs, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). For instance, Article 6 of the UN Convention promotes the full development, advancement, and empowerment of women to guarantee them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and Article 29 of that Treaty also requires all state parties to ensure that ‘voting procedures, facilities, and materials are appropriate, accessible, and easy to understand and use, protect the rights of persons with disabilities to vote by secret ballot, stand for elections, and hold office as an elected representative’. Nigeria, a signatory to the UN Convention, has also domesticated the Disability Act in 2019 and reformed some sections of electoral law in 2022. Apart from these, Nigeria’s election management body (the Independent National Electoral Commission) has spearheaded the implementation of the reforms aiming to promote the inclusivity of WWDs in the electoral process. Some political parties have also given nomination forms at a discounted rate for women and PWDs.
Despite these, women with disabilities continue to face a variety of difficulties in participating actively in Nigeria’s political process and governance. For instance, out of the 35 PWDs that contested for election in 2023, both for state and federal positions, only 3 were women. Although Nigeria has made significant progress in the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities (including women with disabilities) as a result of these reforms, there is still a need to assess how these reforms and changes to laws have impacted the participation and representation of women with disabilities in Nigeria’s political process and governance. Relying on semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and analysis of documents with relevant associations of disabled people, civil society organisations, election management officials, and political party officials, this paper assesses the implementation of the laws and policies vis-à-vis the challenges faced by women with disabilities in participating in Nigeria’s political and governance structures. Findings from this study will promote a better understanding of gender inclusion in Nigeria’s political process and highlight the importance of inclusive policies and practices for national growth and development.

Author

• Afeez Kolawole Shittu, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo