AN APPRAISAL OF GENDER EQUALITY DEBATES AND TOXIC FEMINISM IN SHAPING SINGLE MOTHERHOOD TRENDS: A STUDY OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS GROUPS IN ENUGU

Background of the Study

Gender equality has been a central issue in the global feminist movement, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and treatment for both men and women. However, within the feminist discourse, the rise of what is referred to as "toxic feminism" has emerged, with some advocating for extreme approaches that challenge traditional norms around marriage, family, and gender roles. In Nigeria, these debates have gained prominence, particularly among women’s rights groups in urban centres like Enugu, where professional and educated women are increasingly vocal about their rights to independence, economic empowerment, and personal choice.

While gender equality in marriage and family life has led to significant progress in women's rights, toxic feminism, with its radical rejection of traditional family structures, has raised concerns about its impact on marriage stability and the increasing trend of single motherhood. In Enugu, the role of women’s rights groups in promoting these feminist ideologies needs to be critically examined to understand how their advocacy shapes societal perceptions of marriage and motherhood. This study seeks to evaluate the influence of gender equality debates and toxic feminism in shaping the rise of single motherhood in Enugu.

 

Statement of the Problem

Women’s rights groups in Enugu have been at the forefront of promoting gender equality, but their advocacy for feminist ideologies has at times aligned with the narratives of toxic feminism. These ideologies, while promoting women’s empowerment, have also been linked to the erosion of traditional family structures, leading to a rise in single motherhood. However, there is limited research on how these debates and feminist ideologies are influencing the increasing trend of single motherhood in the region. This study will explore the intersection between gender equality debates, toxic feminism, and the rise of single motherhood in Enugu.

 

Objectives of the Study

To examine the role of women’s rights groups in Enugu in promoting gender equality debates and toxic feminist narratives.

To evaluate the impact of toxic feminism on the rise of single motherhood in Enugu.

To assess the broader societal consequences of these feminist ideologies on family structures and women’s roles as mothers in Enugu.

 

Research Questions

How do women’s rights groups in Enugu promote gender equality debates and toxic feminist ideologies?

What is the relationship between toxic feminism and the rise of single motherhood in Enugu?

How do gender equality debates and toxic feminist ideologies affect family structures and motherhood in Enugu?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it will contribute to the ongoing discourse on gender equality and feminism in Nigeria, particularly in the context of Enugu. It will provide valuable insights into the role of women’s rights groups in shaping societal attitudes towards marriage, motherhood, and family life. The findings will help policymakers, gender activists, and family counsellors better understand the social and psychological implications of toxic feminist ideologies on family structures, particularly with respect to single motherhood.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus on women’s rights groups in Enugu and their role in promoting gender equality debates and toxic feminism. The research will explore the impact of these ideologies on the rise of single motherhood, but it will not delve into the broader legal, economic, or political implications of feminism in the region.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Gender equality: The state in which both men and women have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment in all areas of life.

Toxic feminism: A form of feminism that advocates extreme views on gender equality, often rejecting traditional gender roles and family structures.

Single motherhood: A situation in which a woman raises her child without the involvement or support of a partner.

 

References

Nwosu, K. M. (2020). Gender equality debates and toxic feminism: Implications for single motherhood in Enugu. Journal of Nigerian Feminist Studies, 17(1), 56-70. Retrieved from https://www.jnfs.org/gender-equality-toxic-feminism

Ofoegbu, C. A. (2021). Women’s rights groups and the promotion of feminist ideologies in Enugu. Journal of African Gender Equality, 22(4), 110-125. Retrieved from https://www.jage.org/womens-rights-groups