Study finds women in Kaduna politics stigmatised as “Karuwa”

Women participating in politics in Kaduna State are sometimes branded “Karuwa”, a derogatory Hausa term associated with a sexually immoral or “loose” woman, a study on barriers to women’s political participation has revealed.

The study, titled “Study on the Reluctance of Women Running for Election/Barriers to Women’s Political Inclusion,” said the stigmatisation of women in politics was among the social and cultural barriers discouraging women from seeking political office.

The study, conducted by Learn Legal Consult for Basileia Vulnerable Persons Rights Initiative, covered Igabi, Sabon Gari, Lere, Kachia, Zangon Kataf and Chikun local government areas, involving surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.

According to the report, participants in a preliminary media-facing listening tour across selected local government areas in Kaduna State said women politicians were sometimes judged by their character and sexuality rather than their leadership abilities.

The report said the use of the term “Karuwa” creates a form of social stigma capable of discouraging women from participating in politics, particularly in communities where political involvement by women is viewed negatively.

The study further documented accounts of sexual harassment and inappropriate demands allegedly faced by women seeking political opportunities.

“One account described a situation where a woman was told, in substance, that if she wanted political success, a man would have to touch her sexually,” the report stated, adding that sexual harassment could constitute a significant barrier to women’s political participation.

A woman who participated in the study also described the political journey of women as “very long and sensitive”, saying female politicians could be subjected to intimidation, unpleasant names and sexual harassment by men seeking to take advantage of them in exchange for political positions.

“Women who go into politics are often given unpleasant names.

“Sometimes, men subject them to sexual harassment because some want to take advantage of them in exchange for positions,” she was quoted as saying.

The report said some women were also discouraged by the perception that politics was meant for “irresponsible women”, adding that such perceptions could affect their acceptance within society.

A religious leader interviewed for the study similarly reported that some women were discouraged from contesting elections because of what people said about women who ventured into politics.

The study quoted the religious leader as saying: “Because of what people used to say about women, like if a woman is going to contest, they will say she is going for prostitution and whatsoever.

“So this thing always holds women from participating in anything that has to do with politics.”

Beyond social stigma and sexual harassment, the report identified financial constraints, political gatekeeping, godfatherism, unequal access to influential networks, family responsibilities, insecurity and limited support from political parties as other barriers confronting women.

The survey found that 71.1 per cent of respondents believed women found it harder to obtain political party tickets, while 47.4 per cent said political parties did not support women seeking political office.

The study also found that 71.1 per cent of respondents had experienced or witnessed political intimidation, while 57.9 per cent considered the political environment unsafe for women.

On community support, only 5.2 per cent of respondents described their communities as supportive or very supportive of women participating in politics, while 47.4 per cent said they received little support.

The report also highlighted political party structures as a major obstacle, with participants alleging that access to party leaders and influential networks could determine whether women were given a meaningful opportunity to contest.

One participant said: “Another challenge is acceptance from the party chairman and party leaders.

“If they don’t accept you as one of the contestants, even though you come out, you will not win, because there must be a primary election.”

The report said participants repeatedly identified godfatherism and political gatekeeping as factors limiting women’s access to political opportunities.

It also noted that women did not always support other women candidates, with participants observing that some women could mobilise behind male candidates while failing to support female candidates.

However, the researchers cautioned that the section containing the “Karuwa” findings was a preliminary media-facing report and not the final quantitative or qualitative research report.

The report concluded that women’s political exclusion in Kaduna was structural and multidimensional, requiring reforms within political parties, stronger protection against harassment and intimidation, improved access to campaign finance and networks, community engagement and greater awareness of affirmative mechanisms for women.

It also called for political parties, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, men and women to work towards creating safer and more inclusive political spaces.

The study’s central campaign message was: “Women can lead. The question is will Nigeria let them?”

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