GENDER, MEDIA AND POLITICS: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA

Abstract

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 forefront. 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" has polarized Nigerian 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. It is against this backdrop that this paper examines the involvement of women in Nigerian politics and their degree of acceptance by the menfolk.