PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMALE EMPOWERMENT IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF TELEVISION

Abstract

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) defines Gender Equality as women and men, girls and boys; enjoying the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections. The latest report from the World Gender rd Gap Report 2022 reveals that Nigeria ranks 123 with a score of 0.639 out of a total of 146 countries. The high level of school dropouts among teenage girls in Southeast Nigeria is a thing of concern. This often leads to unwanted pregnancies, early marriage, forced marriage, child labour, and other social vices. Some of the negative impacts of Gender Inequalities are; girls having limited access to education, economic limitations for women, gender-based violence, limited political representation, unjust laws, and legislation, etc. This paper attempts to create awareness on the need and importance of gender balance in Igboland, and to curb the discrimination among girls and boys, while at the same time, promoting the growth and empowerment of all females. This paper studied the current situation in Southeast Nigeria. It reviewed how Television medium promotes women's liberation, growth, and development. The study uses The Spiral of Silence Theory and Entertainment Theory, to substantiate its claims. Phone interviews were carried out from media personnel and prominent people from Southeast Nigeria, who are well vested in the norms and values of their people. The finding shows that culture plays a dominant role in the plight of women and girls, which intends causes underdevelopment in Southeast Nigeria. Among others, the paper suggests that, girls be given equal opportunities as boys and women must be empowered in all spheres of life, beginning from securing quality education and the freedom to live in a peaceful and just society.