Communication, MSMEs and Women Empowerment for National Development in Nigeria

Women in Nigeria as in other developing nations constitute a significant segment of the population who mostly reside in rural areas, are uneducated and poor. Using secondary data, this paper situated women's problems in the age-long gender discrimination embedded in the socio-cultural and political structure of the third world nations, including Nigeria. It also discovered that given the appropriate motivation the women can break the web of poverty and contribute significantly to the nation's economic development through active participation in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The paper outlined the hindrances to women economic emancipation while it also discussed the roles communication media could play in reversing gender inequality. It concluded that the various media of communication could be used to advocate and enthrone a just society where male and female can contribute to national development.