Twitter’s Role in Challenging the Marginalisation and Subjugation of Women in Northern Nigeria

This paper aims to examine social media’s role in advocating against the marginalisation and domination of women in Northern Nigeria with a focus on Twitter (X). This study analyses women’s strategies of digital advocacy drawing on feminist theory, specifically difference feminism, intersectional feminism, and post-structuralist feminism, alongside theories of technological determinism. Difference feminism argues that women possess distinctive qualities, experiences, and perspectives that differentiate them from men, and that these differences can be a source of strength rather than a basis for disadvantage. Intersectional feminism foregrounds intersecting identities such as race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality, emphasising the multiplicity of women’s experiences. Post-structuralist feminism challenges fixed definitions of womanhood, interrogates binary conceptions of gender, and recognises nonbinary and gender diverse identities. Data was collected from public posts and was analysed using critical discourse analysis. This paper demonstrates that social media effectively brings women together beyond the limits of space, time, and economic status. It also shows that leaders in Northern Nigeria often defend cisgender men and patriarchy by resisting advocacy efforts on behalf of women. This paper recommends that advocates do not limit their activities to rallies or protests and continue using social media to engage the public, enlighten women, and speak out against the unjust treatment of women in Northern Nigeria.