The role of mass media in promoting gender equality in nigeria (a case study of owerri municipal)

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong>1.1 &nbsp; BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>Gender has become one of the “fault-lines” running through the political landscape of Nigeria. Since independence in 1960, Nigerian women have been challenging their role in society. The formation of women movement in the country has lent an impetus to the struggle of women and helps put women issues in the front burner. Consequently, a few Nigerian women have been appointed to important position and pocket of them have won election. The elections of 2003 in the country have not given a push to women; rather the elections have served as dividing lines between women and men. Consequently, “gender politics, social and economic life in Nigeria” has polarized Nigeria political landscape into two camps. The first camp is predominantly dominated by those who want to maintain societal traditions. The second camp is populated by women who are in pursuit of dismantling the patriarchal structure of society. Many studies have considered the issue of women’s marginalization in Nigeria. For examples, Ejiogu (1982) considers barriers placed to keep women from prestigious positions. Lewis (1980) in her fascinating studies focuses on women’s role in African society, their contributions, and the reason women have been excluded from development programs. Byrne et al, (1986) Afonji(1981) maintains that modernization theory cannot explain female subordination in Nigeria. Thestudy use Yoruba women as a case study, and concludes that the value places on women as biological and sociological reproduction function.</p> <br><p></p>