ABSTRACT
In
this modern age of development, political inequality between men and
women has always been an important issue of concern. This is so because
of the realization that the marginalization of a segment, race or
particular sex in the society has far - reaching implications on the
development of that society. Nigerian society and perhaps many countries
in Africa seem to have a tenacious tradition of inequality in different
facets of life. With the understanding that there is a growing
tradition of political inequality against women, Nigeria adopted some
gender discriminatory strategies that sought to protect women from
cultural practices that demeaned and made them second class citizens no
matter their background or social orientation. This is to restore
confidence in women and encourage them to participate in all fields of
human activity for a better human and material development. But despite
the adoption of quota system, affirmative action, and gender development
communication campaigns, some societies in Nigeria have shown little
sign of progress especially in the area of women participation in
politics. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of existing
communication practice on women participation in politics in Kajuru
Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The study also attempted to
examine some socio-cultural practices that discourage women
participation in politics and also suggest some communication strategies
that could enhance women political participation in the area under
study. This study utilized the qualitative approach to collect
information from men, women and relevant persons, Institutions and
Government Departments in Four Ward districts of Kajuru Local Government
through Focus Group Discussions (F.G.D.) as well as in-depth
interviews. The data collected were analyzed and they have shown that,
communication practices that exist in the area of study do not always
address the established cultural practices that have adversely
discouraged or off-put women from participating in politics. It was also
gathered from the study that, rather than religion and other cultural
practices, the major problems of inadequate participation of women in
politics are in the content and medium or pattern of communication which
is patriarchal and akin to the vertical and mass media kind of
communication. However, in seeking to contribute to the development of
more effective communication practice in the area under study, the study
recommended the Horizo- vertical pattern of Communication. This is a
blend of the mass and folk media or interpersonal communication. Its
strength is in its flexibility and multimedia approach. In a whole, the
study helped to highlight how media culture and content might affect the
participation of particularly women, in politics. Hence, the problem of
inadequate participation of women in politics is a problem of culture
and of how the culture is communicated in this modern age.