Abstract

Women participation in politics is one major concern of most developing countries. The low level of women participation in politics and their inadequate representation in the decision making process has led to their expectations and interest in development issues being relegated to the background. However, since women constitute half of the population of Nigeria, their interest should be protected and their views expressed. The mass media as agents of social mobilization and motivation have significant roles to play in the development of women towards participation in politics. This study posed three research questions; what are the roles of the mass media in mobilizing women for political participation in Nigeria? Can women’s failure in elections be attributed to inadequate reportage given to candidates? Is there an enabling environment for women’s full political participation in Nigeria? The survey method was used with the questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The study revealed that though the media have done a lot in the area of mobilizing women towards greater participation in politics, more needs to be done given the low level of women participation in politics. The study recommended that more efforts should be geared towards mobilizing women to participate in politics.

Key Words: Women, Politics, Mass Media, Mobilization, Participation.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, April 2012, 51 – 61 

© Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the authors

*Endwell Onyinye Nyekwere  is a Research Fellow in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

**Chinemezu Onward Nyekwere is with the Registry Department, Rivers State College of Arts And Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Full Article

Words: 5,607; Pages: 11