Abstract

The study investigated the challenges facing women's participation in politics within Bursari Local Government, Yobe State. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of gender equality in political representation, women in this region face significant barriers to engagement. The paper employed a descriptive survey design, randomly selecting 200 respondents from three wards in Bursari, representing diverse occupations, educational backgrounds, political affiliations, ethnicities, and religions. Data were collected using the Social Acceptance of Women Political Participation Questionnaire (WPPQ), which demonstrated a reliability coefficient of r = 0.74. Analysis included descriptive frequency, mean, grand mean, and standard deviation calculations. Key challenges identified include cultural norms, limited access to resources, lack of political mentorship, and societal attitudes toward women in leadership. Findings indicate that these obstacles diminish women’s political ambition and visibility in decision-making processes. The study recommends targeted interventions, such as awareness campaigns, mentorship programs, and supportive policies, to enhance women’s political participation in Bursari, contributing to the broader discourse on gender equality and empowering women in governance.