WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESSES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Women's representation in elected and appointed offices in Anambra State is abysmally low, and this is adjudged to be among the lowest in both Africa and the world. The main objective of the study was to examine the impact of women participation in the electoral process on peacebuilding in Anambra State. The study was anchored on human needs theory. The study adopted descriptive research design involving survey research and historical research designs. The population of the study is1,466. The sample size of this study is 400, gotten through the use of Rakesh sample size formula. Data were collected using 5-Point Likert Questionnaire, in-depth interview and secondary sources. Data from questionnaire involved administering 400 copies of questionnaire to the respondents on a face-to-face basis, while data from in-depth interview was collected from interview of 14 respondents selected from the target population on the basis of their depth of knowledge and experience on the issues under study. Data from secondary sources were collected from journals and related internet materials. Data from questionnaire were analysed using weighted mean. Data from in-depth interview were analysed using narrative-analytic technique, while data from secondary sources were analysed using relational-content analysis. Major finding of the study is that women participation in the electoral process in Anambra State is very poor. It is recommended, among other things, that the Federal Government and Anambra State Government should urgently remove all cultural hinderances that prevent women from effective participation in Anambra State electoral processes so as to enhance peace and stability before, during and after elections in the State.