CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
In almost all societies, gender is a significant form of social stratification. Gender is a critical factor in structuring the types of opportunities and life chances faced by individuals and groups and strongly influences the roles they play within social institution from the household to the state. In almost every culture, women bear the primary responsibility for child care and domestic work, while men have traditionally borne the primary responsibility for providing the family livelihood. The prevailing division of labour between the sexes has led to men and women assuming unequal positions in terms of power, prestige and wealth (Obi and Bernard, 2010).
Women and feminist agitation has been that of women liberation from oppression, subordination, marginalization and devaluation, which were inflicted on them through legal statutes, cultural practices and brutish physical forces by men including their husbands, their male bosses, rapist and soldiers in war situations (Obi and Bernard, 2010).
Despite the advances made by women in countries around the world, gender differences continue to serve as basis for social inequalities. Many theoretical perspectives have been advanced to explain men’s enduring dominance over women- in the realm of economics, politics, the family and elsewhere. Women were discriminated against by stereotypes which restricted them to a reproductive role, and deprived them the access to resources which could have enhanced their social and economic contribution to the society. On the other hand, women, have in one way or the other affected the world politics (the like of Margaret Thatcher of England, Indira Ghandi of India, Hilary Clinton of America, Condolise Rice, US Secretary General and many more) the Nigeria women are not left out of the feminist struggles, as the memory of “Aba Women Riot” against massive tax payment still lingers Olawale (2010) in Fafunwa, (1974), The impact of Margaret Ekpo of Calabar, Chief Mrs. Funmilayo Anikulpo Kuti , Prof. Allele Williams of University of Benin, Chief (Mrs) Bola Kuforiji Olubi of United Bank of Africa (UBA), Mrs. Maryam Babangida who championed the course of “Better Life for Rural Women”, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, who helped in reviving the ailing economy of Nigeria and spearheaded the fight that led to the canceling of Nigeria’s debt in Paris club; Late Prof. Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC that championed the war against fake drugs in Nigeria and ensured importation, sale and use of genuine drugs in our markets, chemist, hospitals and the general public.
The influence of late Stella Obasanjo encouraged the inclusion of many women in the cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanyo. Turai Yar’Adua also played her part in the programme of women emancipation, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan is carrying a crusade of “Women for Change and Development Initiative”, agitating for 35℅ involvement or inclusion of women in political post in 2015 general election and more in 2019 (Obi and Bernard, 2010).
However, this research focusing on the connection between the media, women and identity construction in Nigeria 2019 general elections. In other words it will be describing the role of the media and how the media portrayed the identity of women participants in the Nigeria 2019 general election. Experiences have reveals that womenfolk do not have equal status with menfolk in elective posts in political circles.
Active participation of women in politics cannot be achieved without genuine communication system. Communication serves as a vehicle through which segments of people relate with each other. Effective communication in political dispensation can only be achieved through the mass media. The mass media has the potential to assist in the constant promotion of women participation in politics by planning and mounting messages such as sustainable enlightenment campaign for general awareness about the potential leadership qualities of women and their role s in sustainable development in Nigeria.
Prior to the 21st century, most Nigeria women tended to be indifferent towards politics. This could be attributed to some issues or factor ranging from the nature of Nigeria society which is patriarchal with the prevalent notion that politics is not for women. In the 21st century there seems to be a slight change, many Nigeria women have not only become actively involved in politics some of them have also recorded great successes in political circle while media seems not given adequate or equal coverage to the female politicians and aspirants unlike what they given to their men counterpart.
It is against this backdrop that the research examines the Nigerians Perception of Media Reportage of Female Politicians and Aspirants in Nigeria with study of people in Akwa ibom state university Community which comprised the teaching, non-teaching and students across the eight faculties in the both campuses of the institution.