Radio Advocacy On Girl-child Inheritance
[OBUDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA) OF CROSS RIVER STATE.]

1.1 Background of the Study

Women’s inheritance and property rights constitute one of the main areas of focus for women’s movements in developing countries. Strengthening women’s legal position in these areas is an important and effective means to decrease poverty and increase gender equality, and a crucial vehicle to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Women’s inheritance and property rights constitute one of the main areas of focus for women’s movements in developing countries. Strengthening women’s legal position in these areas is an important and effective means to decrease poverty and increase gender equality, and a crucial vehicle to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Community radio emerged in the Nigerian media landscape with the initial licensing of twelve campus community radio stations in tertiary institutions in the country in 2007 and another twenty seven in 2012. The advent of these initial community radio stations signaled in part the democratization of the media landscape in Nigeria. Development scholars have long theorized that community radio allows for the democratization of the media, which implies inclusion of a broad spectrum of opinions in programme contents and debates. 

The Nigerian society as widely documented (see, Okunna, 1996; Ezigbo, 1996; Ilika, 2005; Madumer, 2014) is a patriarchal society. Patriarchy in Nigeria, promotes conservative cultures that repose women in traditional role restricted to the private sphere and family network, while men occupy the public sphere. As stated by Hafkin & Taggart (2001), due to confinement to the private sphere and a lack of access to ICTs, women are more likely to be passive receivers of technology than producers. This often means that women’s needs, interests, and priorities are marginalized by male dominated media production structures (Fortune & Chungong, 2013). In Nigeria, this seems to be the case with the mainstream media. However, with the emergence of community media within small communities such as tertiary institutions, we examine the extent the more democratic medium of community radio is able to include the voice of women in the public sphere. Writing on the situation in Africa in general, scholars have argued that the education system in Africa favours male uptake of new technologies and that a lack of education is a significant obstacle to women's capacity to access technologies and to understand and articulate themselves in public debates (Myers, 2004; Fortune & Chungong, 2013). In the South eastern part of the country with its high latitude for women education, what Khan & Ghadially (2009) suggest may still marginalize women participation in the media as they state that even in more affluent settings where women have opportunities to become educated, it is men who are encouraged to learn and use technology, giving them a distinct advantage in a knowledge-based society. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to examine radio advocacy on girl – child inheritance in Obudu LGA of Cross River State. 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

No human has the power to determine his/her sex as we all came to this world by divine providence. Thus, there ought not to be discrimination on the ground of gender disparity. Both men and women are entitled to equal footing to the full protection of their right and freedom because they are human being (Okagbue, 2001). This however has not been upheld in the social milieu of our contemporary society. Globally, women or the female child have experienced various forms of abuses and discrimination. In Nigeria, women are confronted daily with challenges arising from the pervading influence of poverty, illiteracy and ignorance. This discrimination and abuse have been present in our society from the beginning of mankind. In fact the plight of the Nigeria woman start from the day she is born. This is because the average Nigerian father prefers the male to the female child. The African culture and tradition offer no help at all in this direction as the female child is discriminated against in all state of life. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies on radio advocacy on girl – child inheritance in Nigeria. This study therefore sought to fill this gap. 

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine radio advocacy on girl – child inheritance in Obudu LGA of Cross River State. Specific objectives include;

i. To ascertain the prevalence of community radio programs on girl child development in Obudu LGA of Cross River State.

ii. To ascertain the availability of radio programs on girl child advocacy in Obudu LGA of Cross River State

iii. To determine the impact of radio advocacy on the public acceptance of gild child inheritance in Obudu LGA of Cross River State

1.4 Research Questions

The study sought to answer the following research questions:

i. What is the prevalence of community radio programs on girl child development in Obudu LGA of Cross River State?

ii. Are radio programs on girl child advocacy in Obudu LGA of Cross River State available?

iii. What is the impact of radio advocacy on the public acceptance of gild child inheritance in Obudu LGA of Cross River State?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H0: Radio advocacy does not have any significant impact on the public acceptance of gild child inheritance in Obudu LGA of Cross River State.

Hi: There is a significant impact of educational media in teaching and learning of animal digestive system in secondary schools in Yola Local government Area of Adamawa State. 

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is on radio advocacy on girl – child inheritance in Obudu LGA of Cross River State. The research study covered members of the general public in Obudu LGA of Cross River State. The study also covered a fair balance of male and female respondents.

1.8 Limitations of the study

The demanding schedule of respondents at work made it very difficult getting the respondents to participate in the survey. As a result, retrieving copies of questionnaire in timely fashion was very challenging. Also, the researcher is a student and therefore has limited time as well as resources in covering extensive literature available in conducting this research. Information provided by the researcher may not hold true for all businesses or organizations but is restricted to the selected organization used as a study in this research especially in the locality where this study is being conducted. Finally, the researcher is restricted only to the evidence provided by the participants in the research and therefore cannot determine the reliability and accuracy of the information provided.

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Radio: Radio is sound communication by radio waves, usually through the transmission of music, news, and other types of programs from single broadcast stations to multitudes of individual listeners equipped with radio receivers.

Radio Advocacy: Radio advocacy is the process of disseminating information through the communications media where the aim is to effect action, such as a change of policy, or to alter the public's view of an issue.

Inheritance: Inheritance is the practice of passing on private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. The passing on of private property and/or debts can be done by a notary.

REFERENCES 

Ezeigbo A. T. (1996). Gender Issues in Nigeria: A feminist Perspective. Lagos: Vista Books Limited

Fortune, F. & Nokoko, C. (2013) A Comparative Study of Women’s Participation in Community Radio through Mobile Phone Technologies. Community Radio, Gender and ICTs in West Africa. Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada): Institute of African Studies.

Hafkin, N & Taggart, N (2001). Gender, Information Technology and Developing Countries: An Analytic Study. Washington D.C.: USAID 

Ilika, A. L. (2005). Women’s Perception of Partner Violence in a Rural Igbo Community Retrieved July 12, 2013, from http://www.jeterapsscholarlinkresearchers

Khan, F & Ghadially, R (2009). Gender-differentiated Impact on Minority Youth of Basic Computer Education in Mumbai City. Gender Technology and Development 13(2), 245-269 

Madumer, N. O. (2014) Gender Inequality and Women's Right In Eastern Nigeria; An Overview Of The Patrilineal Right Of Inheritance In Iboland. Retrieved, 14 August, 2013, from http://www. academicedu.org

Myers, M (2004). Education and Developmental Radio for Rural women: Understanding Broadcasters and Listeners in Case Study of 

Okagbue I. Women‟s Right are human Right: Lagos Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. 2001

Okunna, C.S. (1996). “Portrayal of Women in Nigerian Home Video Films: Empowerment or Subjugation?” Africa Media Review, (10) 3. 4-7