Editor's Note

Oluyinka Esan

doi:10.21039/cca.29

Abstract

This issue is special, beyond the fact that it is long overdue. It was inspired by the African Women in Media conference held in June 2018, which, in its attention to the cause of African women, focused on the theme of Visibility. Four of the papers in the issue were first presented at the conference and have since been reworked for publication. Much has happened since embarking on that process which makes the issues raised here most timely. The Coronavirus pandemic which has kept people around the world locked down, and threatens to cripple several economies has since happened. It has exposed chinks in the armour of existing safeguards to public health, mental well-being, and the means to engage audiences effectively in many nations. The yawning gaps in these regards have confounded various publics, scholars, and leaders in advanced and developing economies. The issues raised by our authors are therefore timely, coming at a time when there should be heightened attention to required improvements and novel ways to address issues of health and well-being.

Highlights

The paper by Adama Adamu is a study that takes us off the beaten path into rural communities in Northern Nigeria
The disparities in the different regions of Nigeria are reminiscent of the situations across the African continent
The paper certainly highlights the need to sift through the beliefs and practices that are prevalent in the rural areas

Summary

Introduction

It explains a range of cultural practices and social situations to which mothers are subjected. Adama vivifies this in her paper and challenges the media to address this. These media could help women to break their silence as is the premise of Akoja and Anjorin. More than this, social media help to redistribute power by making public audience consumption, and by so doing exhibiting where consensus occur.

Results

Conclusion