THE EFFECT OF FEMINIST ACTIVISM ON REDEFINING GENDER EQUALITY AND MARITAL FIDELITY IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF PORT HARCOURT ADVOCACY GROUPS

Background of the Study

Feminist activism has been a powerful force in challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for gender equality in Nigeria. Advocacy groups in urban centers such as Port Harcourt play a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around women’s rights, marriage, and family life. These groups have not only focused on legal reforms but also on changing cultural norms that govern marriage and relationships. Feminist activism has particularly focused on redefining gender equality, with significant implications for marital fidelity, as it calls for mutual respect, partnership, and equality within marriages.

As feminist advocacy grows in prominence, especially within urban Nigerian contexts, it may redefine the traditional notions of marital fidelity. This study aims to explore how feminist activism, particularly through Port Harcourt-based advocacy groups, influences the evolving understanding of gender equality in marriages and its impact on the concept of marital fidelity. By examining the ways in which feminist activism challenges the established norms of marriage, this study will provide insights into the changing dynamics of marital relationships in contemporary Nigeria.

 

Statement of the Problem

While feminist activism has made significant strides in promoting gender equality, its impact on marital fidelity has not been thoroughly explored. Specifically, in Port Harcourt, where feminist advocacy is active, the influence of such movements on perceptions of marriage and fidelity is yet to be critically assessed. This study will examine how feminist activism influences the understanding of marital fidelity and challenges traditional norms within Nigerian marriages.

 

Objectives of the Study

To assess the impact of feminist activism in Port Harcourt on the redefinition of gender equality in marriage.

To explore how feminist advocacy groups in Port Harcourt influence perceptions of marital fidelity.

To investigate the broader social and cultural impacts of feminist activism on marriage dynamics in Port Harcourt.

 

Research Questions

How has feminist activism in Port Harcourt contributed to redefining gender equality in marriage?

What influence do feminist advocacy groups have on perceptions of marital fidelity in Port Harcourt?

How has feminist activism affected traditional views on marital relationships in Port Harcourt?

 

Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it will provide insights into how feminist activism influences marital dynamics and perceptions of marital fidelity in Nigeria. The findings will be valuable for gender activists, marriage counselors, and policymakers who seek to understand the role of feminist advocacy in reshaping societal norms and promoting gender equality in Nigerian marriages.

 

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus on feminist advocacy groups in Port Harcourt, examining their role in redefining gender equality and marital fidelity. The research will be limited to the impact of feminist activism on marriage and will not explore other aspects of feminist movements in Nigeria. It will not address rural or non-urban areas where feminist activism may have different impacts.

 

Operational Definition of Terms

Feminist activism: Organized efforts aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s rights, and social justice, often challenging traditional gender roles and patriarchal systems.

Marital fidelity: The commitment to remain faithful in a marriage, involving emotional and sexual exclusivity.

Gender equality: The state of equal rights, opportunities, and treatment for all genders, particularly in marriage and family life.

 

References

Chukwudi, R. A. (2021). Feminist activism and the redefinition of marital fidelity in Port Harcourt. Nigerian Journal of Gender and Social Policy, 17(3), 89-102. Retrieved from https://www.njgsp.org/feminist-activism-marital-fidelity

Ibe, M. T. (2020). Gender equality in marriage: The influence of feminist advocacy in Port Harcourt. Journal of African Feminist Studies, 22(4), 123-137. Retrieved from https://www.jafs.org/feminism-gender-equality-marriage