THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN NIGERIA

THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY  IN NIGERIA ( A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL)

ABSTRACT

The mass media may have a crucial role in either reinforcing, or challenging such inequalities. Television, radio, newspapers and film have long been recognised as key players in society: helping to define people’s sense of taken-for-granted normality (see Eldridge et al., 1997). “The role of Mass Media in promoting Gender equality in Nigeria in Nigeria in Nigeria”. This study examines the problems, first, defining the importance of women to participate in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. The survey research method was employed in this study and questionnaires were used for data collection, then the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical procedure to reach a definite conclusion. The results reflect that Mass Media have positive impact in Promoting women to participate in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. In summary, Mass Media is found wanting in fostering development for gender equality in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. In recommendations, suggestion of ways to stimulate female participation was made by looking at practical examples of how this was done in the pre-colonial era. Finally, in conclusion, The need for gender equality is simply the thing to do especially in this age of globalization and change. The need has not been more urgent in the current political dispensation in Nigeria, leaders must provide political developmental program that will propel women in economic, political and social development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Table of contents

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

1.2    Statement of  Research Problem

1.3    Objectives of the Study

1.4    Significance of the Study

1.5    Research Questions

1.6    Research Hypotheses

1.7    Definition of Terms

1.8    Assumptions of the Study

1.9    Limitations of the Study

References         18

CHAPTER TWO

2.0    LITERATURE REVIEW

         CHAPTER THREE     

3.0    RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY          41

3.1    Research Design         41

3.2    Area of Study

3.3    Population of the Study

3.4    Research Sample and Sampling Technique

3.5    Instrument for Data Collection

3.6    Validity of Instrument

3.7    Method of Data Collection

3.8    Method of Data Analysis

References

CHAPTER FOUR   

4.0    PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1    Data Presentation and Analysis

4.2    Test of Hypotheses

4.3    Discussion of Findings

References

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0    Summary, Conclusion and  Recommendations  for Further Studies

5.1    Summary

5.2    Conclusion

5.3    Recommendation for Further Studies

References

Bibliography

Appendix ‘A’

Appendix ‘B’

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

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.

As research on the interface between women, media, and politics, social and economic life in Nigeria begin to develop the common means to begin to look at early research. In Images of Women in Mass Media, Tuchman (1978) coins the words “symbolic annihilation’ to describe “the media’s condemnation, trivialization and omission of women.” Since then an avalanche of scholarship has quantified and qualified the news media’s sin against women. (Fountain, ) For examples: Coverage of gender, media and politics, social and economic life in Nigeria has been explored by Norris, (J997): institutional sexism that relegates women to ‘maternal punditry slots’ by Wolf, (1993). Media presentation of women politicians in a gendered lens in terms of sex role (see, Ross,(1996); Rakow, (1994); and Koch (1999); Iyengar, (1991) discussed the effect of framing and Jamieson (2003) considers how media set the agenda fornational debates. Based on this background, the way media portray women is contentious (Norris, 1997). This paper explores weather media coverage of women in Nigeria reinforces rather than challenges the dominant culture, and thereby contributes to the marginalization of women in public life. Added to this, the paper seeks to explore whether the media depict women through gender-relevant or gender-neutral perspective. In order to do this, the central question to answer are: are there significant differences in reporting news about women? Are women in Nigeria portrayed in sex oriented terms? And finally, is the portrayal of women seen in the news as gendered frame,(Norris, 1997). It ca failed in their functions as instrument for educating the masses.

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THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY  IN NIGERIA ( A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL)