Abstract:

Women are part of every society and do not exist in isolation. The growing debate by scholars and intelligentsia about the role of women in politics globally is an issue that has generated serious controversies. Research has established the perception of women on the role of the mass media in mobilising women to participate in politics. Under reported however, is the perception of women on the role of indigenous communication in mobilising women to participate in politics at the local level. This study therefore sought to examine the role indigenous communication played in galvanizing women in politics at the local level since they are established and well available in communities. Survey method was used as the study design. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection and interview as a tool of data collection. 400 copies of the questionnaire were administered and 394 were useful for data analysis. Percentages and chi Square were used for data analysis.Mean and standard deviation were used for ranking of the perception of women on the role of indigenous communication in politics. Also, 6 purposively selected participants took part in the interview. The findings show that women are of the view that indigenous communication influenced them to participate in politics either by voting, participating in rallies, elections, attend political meetings but not as contestant for elective political offices. The result further revealed that only 10% of the respondents have ever contested for elective positions.  The study therefore recommends, among other strategies, the use of indigenous communication for sustained advocacy and mass mobilization of women for women’s rights, and by logical extension, women’s participation in politics, especially for purposes of seeking elective political positions.