Factors associated with female participation in politics, a case study of Nakawa Division.

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with female participation in politics in Nakawa Division. A sample size taken was 96 respondents using simple random sampling. The data was collected using a questionnaire which was close ended. The data was captured using excel and analysed with STATA version 15 using frequency tables, percentages and the chi-square test statistic at the 0.05 level of significance . Univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to establish the relationship between the study variables and female participation in politics. At bivariate chi-square results showed that economic status of a woman, election violence, and family background of a woman were significantly associated with a female’s participation in politics. At further analysis using binary logistic regression age, economic status, and comments on female participants by females were significantly associated with the female participation in politics whereas religion, education level, election violence, comments on female participants by men and family background were not significantly associated with female participation in politics. The paper argues that full and equal participation of both women and men in political decision making provides a balance that more accurately reflects the composition of society, and may as enhance the legitimacy of political processes by making them more democratic and responsive to the concerns and perspective of all segments of society. Given the fact that many states have ratified international conventions and protocols on gender equality and women participation, the low level of women’s representation in government and political positions may be considered a violation of women’s fundamental .democratic rights. In conclusion, as a policy measure, the governments should promote the economic emancipation of women. When women are economically emancipated, they will be able to make their decisions independently and this may pave way for them to enter politics without being restricted by their male counterparts(who may be breadwinners or husbands at home)