RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND CULTURAL STUDIES (RJHCS )
E-ISSN 2579-0528
P-ISSN 2695-2467
VOL. 11 NO. 1 2025
DOI: 10.56201/rjhcs.v11.no1.2025.pg1.14
Amachree, T, Nweke, DC,
This study investigates the role of human rights advocacy in enhancing women's political awareness in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State, with a particular focus on the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). The research aims to understand how MOSOP’s advocacy initiatives contribute to increasing women's political participation in the selected regions. The study specifically examines MOSOP’s role in promoting women's political awareness, capacity building, and addressing barriers to women's political participation. A descriptive survey design was employed, with a population of 3,200 respondents comprising members of the Federation of Ogoni Women's Associations (FOWA) as an affiliate of MOSOP. The sample size of 320 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane's model and selected through proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire titled "Assessing the Impact of Advocacy Programs on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Growth in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas" (AIAPEESGKGLGA). The questionnaire's reliability was confirmed with a coefficient of r = 0.65 through the test-retest method. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings indicate that MOSOP’s advocacy significantly enhances women's political awareness and participation by providing knowledge, skills, and access to resources. However, challenges such as patriarchal norms, limited access to education, and economic barriers persist. The study recommends intensified awareness campaigns, financial literacy training, and community-based decision-making initiatives to further empower women and promote gender equality in political participation in Khana and Gokana LGAs.
Enhancing, Political, Awareness Human, Rights, Advocacy & MOSOP
Agbalajobi, D.T. (2010). Women's participation and the political process in Nigeria: Problems and
prospects. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 4(2), 075-
Akinyemi, A. (2019). Women's Political Participation in Nigeria: The Role of Advocacy and
Awareness. African Political Science Journal, 23(1), 45-62.
Ballington, J. (2008). Equality in politics: A survey of women and men in parliaments. Inter-
Parliamentary Union.
Chant, S. (2016). Women, poverty and globalisation in the Global South. International
Development Studies, 4(3), 45-67.
Cornwall, A., & Goetz, A. M. (2005). Democratizing democracy: Feminist perspectives.
Democratization, 12(5), 783-800.
Dahlerup, D. (2018). "Has Democracy Failed Women?" John Wiley & Sons.
Ekeh, P. (2015). Human Rights and Political Awareness in Africa: The Case of the Niger Delta.
African Human Rights Review, 14(2), 205-225.
Gbowee, L. (2011). "Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation
at War." Beast Books.
Inglehart, R., & Norris, P. (2003). Rising tide: Gender equality and cultural change around the
world. Cambridge University Press.
Kabeer, N. (2005). Gender equality and women's empowerment: A critical analysis of the third
millennium development goal. Gender & Development, 13(1), 13-24.
Moser, C. (2012). Gender planning and development: Theory, practice and training. Routledge.
MOSOP (2018). The Role of MOSOP in Promoting Women's Rights in the Niger Delta Region.
Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People.
Nwankwo, N. (1996). "Gender Equality in Nigerian Politics: The Role of Advocacy." Spectrum
Books.
Nwankwo, O. (2017). Socio-cultural determinants of women’s political participation in Nigeria.
African Journal of Social Issues, 6(1), 23-38.
Okeke, C. (2020). "Women's Political Participation in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects." African
Journal of Political Science, 24(3), 45-62.
Okeke, R.C. (2018). Civil society organizations and women’s political participation in Nigeria.
Journal of Political Studies, 25(4), 112-130.
Okolie, A. (2020). Gender, Governance, and Development in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Gender and
Development Journal, 31(4), 123-140.
Rai, S. (2017). The gender politics of development. Zed Books.
Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press.
Tamale, S. (2020). Gender and the law in Africa: Revisiting women's rights. Journal of African
Law, 64(1), 123-145.
Tripp, A. M. (2015). "Women and Power in Post-Conflict Africa." Cambridge University Press.
Tripp, A. M., Casimiro, I., Kwesiga, J., & Mungwa, A. (2009). African women's movements:
Transforming political landscapes. Cambridge University Press.
True, J., & Parisi, L. (2019). Gender mainstreaming strategies in international organizations.
Global Governance, 25(2), 219-238.
Ukeje, C. (2017). Empowering Women in Rural Nigeria: The Role of Local Advocacy Groups.
Journal of Gender and Politics, 12(3), 78-93.
Waylen, G. (2013). Gender matters in politics. Polity Press.
World Bank (2022). "Gender Equality and Development: Progress and Challenges." Washington,
DC: World Bank Publications.