Climate change continues to pose significant challenges, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where extreme weather events, such as heat waves, are becoming increasingly prevalent. The 2024 Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment launched a series of communication campaigns aimed at raising awareness and encouraging adaptation and mitigation strategies against heat waves. This study investigated the perception of South-East Nigerian women toward these messages, focusing on their perceived'> Climate change continues to pose significant challenges, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where extreme weather events, such as heat waves, are becoming increasingly prevalent. The 2024 Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment launched a series of communication campaigns aimed at raising awareness and encouraging adaptation and mitigation strategies against heat waves. This study investigated the perception of South-East Nigerian women toward these messages, focusing on their perceived'>
Keyword : Perception, Women, Environment, Media Campaign, Adaptation and Mitigation, Heat Waves
Author(s) : Obini Onuchukwu & Prof. Angela Nkiru Nwammuo, PhD
Abstract :
Climate change continues to pose significant challenges, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where extreme weather events, such as heat waves, are becoming increasingly prevalent. The 2024 Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment launched a series of communication campaigns aimed at raising awareness and encouraging adaptation and mitigation strategies against heat waves. This study investigated the perception of South-East Nigerian women toward these messages, focusing on their perceived relevance, truthfulness, and effectiveness in fostering adaptive behaviours. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and utilized a structured questionnaire to gather data from 381 women across selected communities in the South-East region of Nigeria. The questionnaire captured respondents’ demographic data, views on the truthfulness, relevance, and overall effectiveness of the Ministry’s messages, as well as their suggestions for improvement. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency distributions. The findings showed that the majority of respondents were generally well-educated, with 48.8% holding a first degree, followed by 27% who had completed SSCE/WAEC. Additionally, 13.6% possessed postgraduate qualifications. Only a small percentage (10.5%) reported having no form of education or attaining only the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). A majority (72.4%) of respondents resided in urban areas while 27.6% lived in rural areas. The findings revealed that 54% of respondents perceived the messages as truthful and relevant, indicating a generally positive reception. A significant proportion of the respondents (65%) believed that increased dissemination of climate-related information could significantly reduce the prevalence of heat waves in their communities. This underscores the perceived importance of effective communication in driving adaptive behaviours and building resilience against climate challenges. However, 4% of respondents expressed scepticism, viewing the messages as government propaganda. In conclusion, the study highlights the critical role of effective communication in addressing climate challenges. While the Ministry’s messages were positively received by a majority, the presence of scepticism among some respondents emphasizes the need for greater transparency and trust-building in public communication campaigns. The study recommends adopting a participatory approach to message development, ensuring that local communities, particularly women, are actively involved. Additionally, it calls for the dissemination of actionable and evidence-based information through diverse communication channels to enhance the credibility and impact of future campaigns. Regular monitoring and evaluation of communication efforts are also essential for refining strategies and ensuring sustained engagement.
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