Libraries and Women's Participation in Nigerian Politics

Abstract

In the history of Nigeria, cultural factors have been a serious source of problems for the development of women politically and have continued to affect the development and prominence of Nigerian women in their roles in politics. The country has governments run by men at all levels, not because there are no women fit to fill the positions but because most women think of political participation as hopeless for them. Among the factors inhibiting women to vote or contest in elections is lack of information about politics and politicians. Because most women in Nigeria dwell in rural areas and their votes are needed to ensure their full participation in politics, there is a need for libraries to find ways in which women can be informed about and encouraged to participate fully in the 2007 election. This paper discusses how libraries in Nigeria are gearing up, and what more they could do, to fully take part in mobilizing women to participate and contest for political offices now and in future.