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07030248044CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The number of incidents of violence against both men and women has grown recently(Kolbe& Buttner, 2020). Stories about gender-based violence, including sexual molestation, battering, assault, and emotional blackmail against both men and women, are widely shared on social media. Social, economic, or national barriers do not apply to gender-based violence (Obay, 2021).These incidents appear to be wildly underreported in several nations. "Serious, life-threatening global problem that affects women, girls, boys, and men, and it is widely underreported in all settings" is how gender-based violence is described(Liyeh et al., 2021).
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most repressive manifestations of gender inequality, according to a 2019 World Bank research, and it stands in the way of women and men participating equally in the social, economic, and political arenas.Intimate partner abuse, non-partner sexual assault, female genital mutilation, sexual exploitation and abuse, child maltreatment, female infanticide, and child marriage are all considered forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Gender equality and the accomplishment of several development goals are hampered by this kind of violence (World Bank, 2019).Gender-based violence is defined as “an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) difference between males and females” (Klugman et al., 2014).This suggests that any person who belongs to the same gender group or the opposite gender can use violence against both males and females.Nonetheless, women are far more susceptible since violence both reflects and perpetuates existing gender disparities, according to Arango, Morton, Gennari, Kiplesund, and Ellsberg (2014). GBV include female genital mutilation, intimate relationship violence, non-partner sexual violence, child maltreatment, female infanticide, and child marriage.Numerous detrimental physical health effects, such as acute injuries, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, gynaecological issues, depression, and drug dependence, are associated with intimate partner violence exposure(Taft & Watson, 2008).
Gender-based violence (GBV) affects men as well, despite the word being commonly used to refer to violence against women(Oladepo, Yusuf & Arulogun, 2011). According to Chukwuma (2019)'s research at the University of Ibadan, more males are falling prey to gender-based violence in Nigeria. The survey also showed that males who experience abuse will not come forward about it for fear of being ostracised by friends and family.As a result of their continued financial dependence on their spouses, they typically oppose intervention from other parties. Because society does not accept that males may experience marital abuse, more married men are falling prey to it, but many suffer in silence out of fear of being stigmatised(News Agency of Nigeria, 2021).
Nigeria developed a Framework and Plan of Action for the National Gender Policy in 2006 in an effort to put an end to the incidents of gender-based violence in the nation. As a result, both the federal and state governments passed a number of laws and policy tools, such as The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, which outlaws all forms of violence against people in both public and private settings, as well as harmful widowhood customs and female genital mutilation.The Gender-Based Violence Act and the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law of 2007 were further passed into law by the governments of Ekiti and Lagos states. These rules were special because they included economic abuse as a type of gender-based violence(Ugigbe, 2020). Violence against women continues despite the government's aforementioned efforts as well as media reports and initiatives on GBV. The media can be useful in the battle against gender-based violence.According to Dekic (2017), gender-based violence is a worldwide epidemic and a problem that affects the entire society. The media has a responsibility to responsibly cover this topic and to encourage public discourse. Despite several efforts to curb it, gender-based violence still happens in many nations around the world.The media has the power to influence public opinion and attitudes, as well as to promote social change(Fawole& Olufunmilayo, 2005).
Gender-base violence has become a widespread social issue worldwide, with 38% of all female homicides being the result of intimate partner violence, 35% of women having experienced non-partner sexual violence or physical and/or sexual abuse, and 28.5% of men having experienced both types of abuse(Carlyle, Scarduzio & Slater, 2014; World Health Organisation, 2017). Studies on domestic violence as a societal issue in Nigeria have revealed that it stems from gender roles that are culturally created.Manful, Appiah & Gyasi-Boadu (2016) noted that males are typically assigned gender roles such as being the family's provider of money, the head of the household, and the legitimate owner of property. It may be argued that disrupting these gender roles undermines men's power while also directly questioning women's anticipated duties by causing friction and conflict between men and women to the point that women start to doubt their husbands' conduct or refuse to act in a specific way.
Social media is becoming a tool for reporting gender-based abuse, much like it is for reporting other topics in our communities. Social media frequently uses frames to interpret events in order to sway public opinion.Social media framing is the cognitive framework that people use to organise and evaluate the material that has been chosen and emphasised (Scheufele, 2004; Nicely, 2007; Aalberg, Stromback & De Vreese, 2011). Without a doubt, there hasn't been much research done on domestic violence against males since studies have indicated that more attention has been paid to domestic abuse against women than to women who commit domestic abuse against men (Douglas et al., 2014; Muchemi, 2015). There seems to be a change in the way gender-based violence is committed, as seen by recent events and social media accounts of women abusing males. It is based on this backdrop that the present study seeks to examine the social media framing of gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Government and non-governmental organisations have launched several media campaigns and activities in response to the surge in gender-based violence as a means of combating this scourge of society. Nonetheless, incidents of violence against women are still on the rise.The media is flooded with stories of violence against men, women, and children on a regular basis. This raises concerns. The psychological wounds caused by gender-based violence can make it difficult for victims to form fulfilling and healthy relationships in the future. Gender violence takes many forms, including forced marriage and physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.
Social media, as a powerful tool for communication and information dissemination, can play a dual role in GBV: it can be used to perpetrate, facilitate, or amplify GBV, or it can be used to prevent, challenge, or respond to GBV.The framing of GBV on social media can have significant implications for how the issue is understood, perceived, and addressed by various actors, such as policy makers, service providers, media professionals, civil society organizations, and the general public. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence and data on how social media frames GBV, especially among public servants, who are often in positions of authority and influence. Public servants may face specific risks and challenges related to GBV, such as harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in their workplaces, or online attacks, threats, or defamation in their public roles.It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examinethe social media framing of gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria.
This study is limited on thew impact of social media framing on gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria. Respondents in this study were public servants from Oyo State, Nigeria.
This study will contribute to the existing literature on social media framing of gender-based violence (GBV) by focusing on a specific and under-researched group: public servants in Oyo State, Nigeria. Public servants are often exposed to GBV in their workplaces and online platforms, which can affect their performance, well-being, and reputation. However, there is a lack of empirical data and analysis on how social media frames GBV among public servants, and how this influences their attitudes and actions towards GBV prevention and response.
This study will address this gap by using a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative discourse analysis, to examine the main themes, narratives, discourses, and representations of GBV among public servants on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The study will also explore the effects of these social media frames on the perceptions and behaviors of public servants and other stakeholders, such as policy makers, service providers, media professionals, civil society organizations, and the general public.
The findings of this study will have significant implications for GBV research, policy, and practice. The study will provide valuable insights into the role of social media in shaping and challenging GBV among public servants, and the potential of social media to promote positive and transformative change on GBV.
The study will also offer practical recommendations and guidelines for using social media to raise awareness, educate, advocate, and mobilize action on GBV among public servants and other actors. The study will also identify the challenges and limitations of social media as a tool for GBV prevention and response, and suggest ways to overcome them.
The main objective of this study is to examine the social media framing of gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria. Specific objectives of the study include;
Limitation of the study
This study has some limitations that should be acknowledged.
First, the study relies on a content analysis of social media posts by public servants in Oyo State on GBV, which may not capture the full range of opinions and perspectives of this group. The study also does not account for the context, tone, and intention of the posts, which may affect the interpretation of the frames.
Second, the study uses a purposive sampling method to select the posts, which may introduce some bias and reduce the generalizability of the findings. The study also does not include posts from other social media platforms or other sources of information that may influence the framing of GBV by public servants.
Third, the study uses a predefined set of frames to analyze the posts, which may not reflect the complexity and diversity of the issue. The study also does not explore the effects of the frames on the public’s awareness, perception, and response to GBV, which would require further research.
Therefore, the study should be seen as an exploratory and descriptive attempt to understand how public servants in Oyo State frame GBV on social media, rather than a conclusive and comprehensive assessment of the issue.
The following questions guided this study;
1.7.2 Hypotheses
The study hypothesized the following;
Hypothesis 1
H0: There is no significantimpact of social media framing on gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria
H1: There is a significantimpact of social media framing on gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria
Hypothesis 2
H0: There is no significantrelationship between social media framing and gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria
H1: There is a significantrelationship between social media framing and gender-based violence among public servants inOyo State Nigeria
Social media: Social media are online platforms that enable users to create and share content, interact with other users, and participate in online communities. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Framing: Framing is the process of selecting and emphasizing certain aspects of a social issue to influence the audience’s perception and interpretation of the issue.
Gender-based violence: Gender-based violence (GBV) is any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will, and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females.
Public servants: Public servants are individuals who work for the government or public sector at any level, such as federal, state, or local. Public servants include civil servants, elected officials, judges, teachers, health workers, security personnel, and others who perform public duties and functions.
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