Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria

The political participation of Ijebu women in Nigeria presents an essential opportunity for exploration, as it is shaped by various systemic challenges rooted in historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors. While much has been written about the progress of gender equality globally and women�...

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Main Author: Bolaji Olaronke AKANNI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Department of General Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti 2025-06-01
Series:ABUAD Journal of the Humanities-AGIDIGBO
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Online Access:https://www.journals.abuad.edu.ng/index.php/agidigbo/article/view/1657
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author Bolaji Olaronke AKANNI
author_facet Bolaji Olaronke AKANNI
author_sort Bolaji Olaronke AKANNI
collection DOAJ
description The political participation of Ijebu women in Nigeria presents an essential opportunity for exploration, as it is shaped by various systemic challenges rooted in historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors. While much has been written about the progress of gender equality globally and women's political participation in Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba, this paper aims to enhance our understanding by focusing on the Ijebu women. Exploring their unique experiences and contributions highlights how these women navigate and influence the political landscape. This paper recognises the tremendous achievements of Ijebu women in politics, while also addressing the problems they encounter and detailing the reforms required to foster wider inclusion. It examines the impact of traditional norms, patriarchal structures, and modernisation on women's access to political power and decision-making positions. By utilising a postcolonial feminist framework, this study emphasises the importance of understanding the intersections of gender, colonial legacies, and socio-political structures in shaping women's participation in governance. Through this lens, actionable steps to empower Ijebu women and enhance their role in political leadership are identified. The paper offers actionable insights for developing more inclusive and representative governance structures in the region. It concludes with constructive recommendations aimed at increasing Ijebu women's political engagement through initiatives in education, policy reforms, economic empowerment, and enhanced media representation.
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spelling doaj-art-9115a27aeb1945afb82c993ee75df8b22025-08-20T02:48:13ZengDepartment of General Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado-EkitiABUAD Journal of the Humanities-AGIDIGBO3043-44752025-06-0113110.53982/agidigbo.2025.1301.12-jYoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest NigeriaBolaji Olaronke AKANNI0Department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria The political participation of Ijebu women in Nigeria presents an essential opportunity for exploration, as it is shaped by various systemic challenges rooted in historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors. While much has been written about the progress of gender equality globally and women's political participation in Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba, this paper aims to enhance our understanding by focusing on the Ijebu women. Exploring their unique experiences and contributions highlights how these women navigate and influence the political landscape. This paper recognises the tremendous achievements of Ijebu women in politics, while also addressing the problems they encounter and detailing the reforms required to foster wider inclusion. It examines the impact of traditional norms, patriarchal structures, and modernisation on women's access to political power and decision-making positions. By utilising a postcolonial feminist framework, this study emphasises the importance of understanding the intersections of gender, colonial legacies, and socio-political structures in shaping women's participation in governance. Through this lens, actionable steps to empower Ijebu women and enhance their role in political leadership are identified. The paper offers actionable insights for developing more inclusive and representative governance structures in the region. It concludes with constructive recommendations aimed at increasing Ijebu women's political engagement through initiatives in education, policy reforms, economic empowerment, and enhanced media representation. https://www.journals.abuad.edu.ng/index.php/agidigbo/article/view/1657Gender EqualityIjebu WomenNigerian PoliticsPolitical ParticipationYoruba History
spellingShingle Bolaji Olaronke AKANNI
Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria
ABUAD Journal of the Humanities-AGIDIGBO
Gender Equality
Ijebu Women
Nigerian Politics
Political Participation
Yoruba History
title Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria
title_full Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria
title_fullStr Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria
title_short Yoruba Women and Politics: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective from Ijebu Women, Southwest Nigeria
title_sort yoruba women and politics a postcolonial feminist perspective from ijebu women southwest nigeria
topic Gender Equality
Ijebu Women
Nigerian Politics
Political Participation
Yoruba History
url https://www.journals.abuad.edu.ng/index.php/agidigbo/article/view/1657
work_keys_str_mv AT bolajiolaronkeakanni yorubawomenandpoliticsapostcolonialfeministperspectivefromijebuwomensouthwestnigeria