Project – Social Media and Women’s Political Participation in Lagos State House of Assembly

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

Social media has become a significant tool in the political landscape, particularly in the context of women’s political participation. In Lagos State House of Assembly, the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has been instrumental in increasing women’s political participation (Adeyanju & Okunoye, 2018). These platforms have provided women with a space to voice their opinions, engage in political discussions, and mobilize support for their political ambitions.

The impact of social media on women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly is multifaceted. On one hand, it has empowered women by providing them with a platform to express their views and engage with their constituents (Ojebode, 2017). On the other hand, it has also exposed them to online harassment and gender-based violence, which can deter women from participating in politics (Ferber, 2018). Despite these challenges, women in Lagos State House of Assembly continue to leverage social media to advance their political careers.

A study by Adeyanju and Okunoye (2018) found that social media has played a significant role in increasing women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly. The study revealed that social media platforms have provided women with a platform to engage with their constituents, mobilize support, and campaign for political office. This has resulted in an increase in the number of women running for and being elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

However, the use of social media in politics is not without its challenges. A study by Ferber (2018) found that women in Lagos State House of Assembly often face online harassment and gender-based violence, which can deter them from participating in politics. Despite these challenges, the study found that women continue to use social media to advance their political careers.

Social media has played a significant role in increasing women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly. Despite the challenges associated with online harassment and gender-based violence, women continue to leverage social media to advance their political careers. Further research is needed to explore the ways in which social media can be used to further enhance women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly.

• Statement of the Problem

The problem of women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly is a multifaceted issue that has been further complicated by the advent of social media. Despite the increasing use of social media platforms for political engagement, there is a dearth of research on how this has impacted women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly (Ojebode, Akinbobola, & Oyebisi, 2018).

The underrepresentation of women in political positions in Lagos State House of Assembly is a persistent problem. This is despite the fact that women constitute a significant proportion of the population and are active users of social media platforms (Akinbobola, 2017). The question then arises as to why the increased use of social media has not translated into increased political participation for women in Lagos State House of Assembly.

Furthermore, the role of social media in shaping political discourse and influencing political participation is not well understood. While some studies suggest that social media can empower women and increase their political participation (Ojebode, Akinbobola, & Oyebisi, 2018), others argue that social media can also reinforce existing gender inequalities and stereotypes, thereby limiting women’s political participation (Akinbobola, 2017).

Moreover, the impact of social media on women’s political participation may vary depending on other factors such as age, education level, and socio-economic status. For instance, younger, more educated women may be more likely to use social media for political engagement compared to older, less educated women (Ojebode, Akinbobola, & Oyebisi, 2018). However, this hypothesis has not been adequately tested in the context of Lagos State House of Assembly.

In addition, there is a lack of research on the specific strategies that women in Lagos State House of Assembly use to leverage social media for political engagement. Understanding these strategies could provide valuable insights for increasing women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly (Akinbobola, 2017).

Furthermore, while social media has the potential to increase women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly, there are several gaps in our understanding of this issue. More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between social media and women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly.

• Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the social media and Women’s Political Participation in Lagos State House of Assembly. The specific objectives are:

1. To examine the role of social media in enhancing women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly.
2. To investigate the extent to which social media platforms are used by women in Lagos State House of Assembly for political engagement.
3. To assess the impact of social media on the political awareness and activism of women in Lagos State House of Assembly.
4. To examine the challenges faced by women in Lagos State House of Assembly in utilizing social media for political participation.

• Research Questions

The research questions are stated below:

1. What role does social media play in enhancing women’s political participation in the Lagos State House of Assembly?
2. To what extent are social media platforms used by women in the Lagos State House of Assembly for political engagement?
3. What is the impact of social media on the political awareness and activism of women in the Lagos State House of Assembly?
4. What are the challenges faced by women in Lagos State House of Assembly in utilizing social media for political participation?

• Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:

Ho: Social media does not enhance women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly

H1: Social media does enhance women’s political participation in Lagos State House of Assembly

• Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to shed light on the role of social media in enhancing women’s political participation in the Lagos State House of Assembly. In the digital age, social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for political engagement, providing a platform for individuals to voice their opinions, mobilize support, and engage with political issues. However, the extent to which these platforms are being utilized by women in the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the impact this has on their political participation, remains largely unexplored.

This study is significant as it seeks to fill this gap in knowledge. By investigating the use of social media platforms by women in the Lagos State House of Assembly, it aims to provide a clearer picture of the digital political landscape in Lagos State. This could potentially lead to a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by women in utilizing social media for political participation, and could inform strategies to enhance their political engagement.

Furthermore, the study’s focus on the impact of social media on the political awareness and activism of women in the Lagos State House of Assembly is of great importance. By assessing this impact, the study could contribute to a broader understanding of the role of social media in shaping political awareness and activism among women. This could have implications for how social media is used as a tool for political engagement and could potentially lead to strategies to increase political awareness and activism among women.

The study is also significant in its potential to highlight the challenges faced by women in the Lagos State House of Assembly in utilizing social media for political participation. By identifying these challenges, the study could contribute to efforts to address them, potentially leading to an increase in women’s political participation in Lagos State.

Moreover, the findings of this study could have broader implications beyond Lagos State. They could contribute to a better understanding of the role of social media in women’s political participation more generally, potentially informing strategies to enhance women’s political participation in other contexts.

Finally, this study is significant as it contributes to the growing body of research on the intersection of social media and politics. By focusing on women’s political participation in the Lagos State House of Assembly, it adds a unique perspective to this body of research, potentially leading to new insights and understandings.

 

• Scope of the Study

The study examines social media and Women’s Political Participation in Lagos State House of Assembly. The is restricted to women participation in Lagos State House of Assembly.

• Operational Definition of Terms

Social Media: This term refers to websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. It includes platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others. These platforms are often used for communication, information dissemination, entertainment, and increasingly, for political engagement and activism.

Women: In the context of this study, ‘women’ refers to adult human females. However, it’s important to note that the term can encompass a wide range of identities, experiences, and roles, depending on cultural, social, and individual factors. In the political context, women have historically been underrepresented, making their participation and representation a significant area of study.

Political Participation: This term refers to the involvement of citizens in the political process. It can take many forms, from voting and running for office, to attending public meetings, joining political parties, or engaging in activism or advocacy. In the context of this study, it refers specifically to the involvement of women in the political process.

Lagos State House of Assembly: This is the legislative branch of the Lagos State Government in Nigeria. It is responsible for making laws for the good governance of the state. The House of Assembly is composed of elected representatives, including women, from various constituencies within Lagos State.

Project – Social Media and Women’s Political Participation in Lagos State House of Assembly