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
1.0 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.
1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
It is not a hidden fact
that women are under represented in the field of politics, social and economic
life in Nigeria. This may be because of the basic assumption that “a women’s
place is in the kitchen”. In other words, her home duties and family
responsibilities should be her sole priority, thereby underling her active
participation in national development in general.
Another assumption militating against female participation
is that, female is biologically not designed for energy exerting and hazardous
occupation. This argument may not be true because, with the age of automation
and revolution in decision making intellectual ability counts more than
physical energy.
The issue of gender bias too, contributes enormously to the
low Promotion of Gender Equality in Nigeria. Beverly’ (1995), notes that the
society assumes that women should be mothers, school teachers, hairdressers,
secretaries, nurse, maids and social workers only, therefore, they do not need
education not to talk of taking part in decision making. This believe is wrong,
as both men and women need and can purse politics, social and economic life in
Nigeria and projects in development, each in their own unique ways, alongside
each other.
The home too is not left out in contributing to female lack
of participation in politics, social and economic life in Nigeria. In the home
husbands attitudes can directly or indirectly influence the choices their wives
make in whether to enter into politics, social and economic life in Nigeria or
not.
Many political parties, reflecting the more general
conditions in the rest of society, do not easily accept or promote many women
into their echelons, let alone permit women’s occupation of important positions
within these parties. This issue is particularly important in view of
Abdullah’s (1993) argument that to achieve women liberation, it will be tacked
within democratic movements.
Thus, if this issue is
not looked into, women will be illiterates and there will be backwardness in
the economy of the country and growth of politics, social and economic life in
Nigeria will depreciate.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE
STUDY
The objective of this
study is to use Mass Media to promote gender Equality in Nigeria, also to voice
out some cultural values in Nigeria that make it difficult for women to
participate in the decision making process. There is need for attitudinal
change and total reorientation in this respect.
Another objective of
the study is to stop the issue of women being victims of violence in the home.
1.4
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It
is expected that at the end of this study, to update knowledge within the
framework of the study. Particularly,
it will assist people’s views on the usefulness of Mass Media in Promoting
women to take part in decision-making. This study will draw the attention of
government to empower women to participate in politics, social and economic
life in Nigeria through the use of radio, television, films and motion pictures
in their packaging of news reports and events, and to academics in their
practices and training of journalist. The government should promote the welfare
of women in general. Also the federal government should promote the full
utilization of women in the development of human resources and to bring about
their acceptance as full participation in every phase of national development
with equal right.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In
this study, an attempt will be sufficiently made to answer the following
questions.
Does colonial antecedent influences Gender
Inequality in Nigeria?
To what extent does culture affect Gender
Inequality in Nigeria?
Do Mass Media actually Promote Gender
Equality in Nigeria?
Does Gender Inequality in Nigeria depend
on their exposure to Mass Media?
1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The
following research hypothesis derived logically from the problems posed in the
research questions.
This
is necessary in order give direction, focus as litmus test of the statement of
claims or prepositions contained in the rein.
H1: Colonial antecedents influence Gender
Inequality in Nigeria.
H0: Colonial antecedents do not influence Gender
Inequality in Nigeria.
H2: Culture
affects Gender Inequality in Nigeria in
Nigeria
H0:
Culture does not affect Gender Inequality in Nigeria
H3: Mass Media actually promote gender
Equality in Nigeria.
H0: Mass Media does not actually Promote
Gender Equality in Nigeria.
H4: Promote gender Equality in Nigeria
depends on their exposure to Mass Media.
H0: Promote gender Equality in Nigeria
does not depend on their exposure to Mass Media.
1.7 ASSUMPTIONS
In
my study, it is obviously seen that the Mass Media will always be at its peak
in promoting Gender equality in Nigeria in Nigeria through which these women
are enlightened, educated and sensitized more on political, cultural and social
activities.
This
will certainly correct the gender in balance in politics, social and economic
life in Nigeria and promote Gender Inequality in Nigeria .
Mass
Media has contributed greatly to the gender inequality reforms in our country
through her numerous programmers’ on politics, social and economic life in
Nigeria.
1.9 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
There
are many limitations ranging form not knowing where to start, not knowing who
to consult or approach for materials not knowing what next to write in various
segment of this study and not actually knowing who to put me through in
achieving my work.
Secondly,
as we know, our nations economy is very bad that finance become a serious
problem to my research study due to lack of fund to get to some places, people
and to get one thing done or the other
done. Due to that it creates a barrier to the study.
Finally,
back pains, dizziness as well as the researcher’s respondent’s inability to
return questionnaires that was given to them adequately.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
In this study, certain key words will be
explained into conceptual and operational definitions.
GENDER EQUALITY: Equal treatment of women
and men in laws and policies, and equal access to resources and services within
families, communities and society at large (11).
GENDER EQUITY: Fairness and justice in the
distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men.
ROLE: The degree to which somebody/
something is involved in a situation or an activity and the effect that they
have on it.
MASS: A channel through which information/
programmers are sent out on television or radio.
WOMEN: Womanly-having qualities held to be
appropriate.
PARTICIPATION: Taking active part in that
particular activity or event.
POLITICS, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE IN
NIGERIA: The activities involved in getting and using power in public life and
being able to influence decision that affect a country or a society.
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