NEW MEDIA AND GENDER EMPOWERMENT: A STUDY OF ANAMBRA STATE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND THE USE OF INTERNET

Abstract

New media is a term meant to encompass the emergence of digital computerized or networked information and communication technologies. Most technologies described as new media are digital, often having characteristics of being manipulated, networkable, dense, compressible, interactive and impartial. The new media is communication technologies that enable or facilitate user to user interactivity and interactivity between user and information. A division of gender roles is deeply rooted in the social archetypes. In the past the patriarchy was a dominant family model. Through the ages men have been considered to be financial providers, career focused, assertive and independent, whereas women have been shown as low position workers, loving wives and mothers, responsible for raising children and doing housework. New media has proven potential for mobilizing attention and accountability to women’s rights and challenging discrimination and stereotypes. This paper attempts to analyze the efforts of the new media which has proved to be a powerful vehicle for bringing women’s right issues to the attention of a wider public, galvanizing action on the streets, of cities around the world and encouraging policy makers to step up commitments to gender equalities. The paper discusses strategies to enhance new media potentials for women’s empowerment.