Gender and Power Dynamics in Nigerian Video Films

Abstract

Power indices are reflected in the relations between men and women. However, the power relations tend to privilege the men while the  women are totally relegated to the background. Despite efforts to find a lasting solution to this problem, the discrimination still lingers  on. This is also reflected in Nigerian video films where the portrayal of gender intersects the reflection of different aspects of power  among characters. Again, even recent changes in gender construction still proved roles were along male and female lines. This study x- rays the power dynamics in the intersections of gender portrayed in Nigerian Video Films. The paper embraces a textual content analysis  to look at how Nigerian Video Films reflect power relations between women and men and how they define the positions of men and  women in society. This study concludes that Nigerian video films have helped and are still helping in the direction and construction of  roles and positions in society as well as in the relegation of women to the background in the scheme of things. Hence it was recommended that there was need for the continued challenge of female subordination in Nigerian video films, reorientation of  mindsets, and a deliberate reconstruction of production processes, the gender of personnel involved in production and film content to  get balanced gender and better portrayal of women. The need to bridge the gender gap and pursue gender equality and equity through  films is emphasized.