Abstract
Local government is the government which is created at the grassroots level. It is a form of community government, so its primary responsibility is community development. It is a form of devolution of political powers of the state. As the government closest and nearest to the people, its importance cannot be overemphasized. On the other hand, there can be no true development without the involvement of the womenfolk. The paper, therefore, X-rays the development at the local government vis-à-vis the involvement of its womenfolk. The paper begins with a conceptual framework of local government, its functions and importance. It goes further to discuss the representation of women in government at the various levels as well as barriers to women's participation in politics. It also examines the role of women in household economy, rural development, peace building and the advantage of their participation using historical and descriptive method and guided by democratic participation theory, The paper argues that the various economic, political, social and system failure serve as a barrier to effective participation of women in politics at the local government level and beyond. The paper concludes that for the women to actively participate in politics and assume their proper position to effect change for the nation at the local government level, government and other stakeholders should engages in programmes and policies that would empower women politically, socially and economically.