Information Seeking Behaviour of Professional Women on Their Political Rights in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Women’s access to information on their political rights contributes to their empowerment through participation in political decision-making. However, there is currently little that is known about women’s access to information on their political rights in Lusaka, Zambia. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate professional women’s access to information on their political rights in Lusaka, Zambia. 70 professional women participated in the study. Specifically, the study investigated women’s awareness of their political rights, the sources of information on their political rights and the extent to which they exercise their political rights. This study was a survey in nature largely centered on quantitative methodology. The target group consisted of professional women in both private and public sector organizations based in Lusaka. Seventy randomly selected participants from 14 institutions participated in the study using self-administered questionnaires. The findings revealed that professional women are aware of their political rights and access this information to a great extent through various sources including Internet, friends and relatives, phones, newspapers, television, radio, libraries and information centers and institutions dealing with women issues. However, the findings revealed that women do not exercise their rights to a large extent as they face various problems including limited education, inadequate financial resources, lack of information and understanding of political systems and processes, discrimination, stereotypes, family responsibilities, political violence, religious and customary traditions and practices as well as poverty. The study recommends for intensified sensitization and advocacy of women’s access to information on their political rights especially in rural areas.