GENDER AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AMONG UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION 2023 ELECTION

Abstract

Participation of females in politics is essential for effective democracy. This study portrays the relationship between gender and political participation among University of Lagos students using the Social Sciences’ Student Association 2023 election as a case
study. Prior research has explored gender disparity in politics and strategies to amend this, but this research focuses on gender disparity among University of Lagos students to examine if the university as an agent of socialisation is able to influence the female
gender to participate more in student politics, shape political attitudes of future leaders, and support the development of initiatives promoting gender equity in student politics. Given youth's role as political change agents, their political behaviour and participation
are crucial to study. Questionnaire and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) were used to gather and analyse data gotten from respondents. The research showed that despite an unbiased university system, there remains a significant relationship between
the two variables; the male counterpart still seems more politically active and involved than the female counterpart. The research identified the factors contributing to these gender differences and strategies to increase the level of female participation in student
politics.