This paper addresses a conceptual review of the role of development communication in the empowerment of women within selected communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. It assesses the theoretical linkages between communication for development and gender empowerment and emphasises participatory approaches that promote agency, critical consciousness, and social transformation. While interrogating established theories and contextual realities in Cross River State, the paper argues that development communication, when grounded in cultural relevance and local participation, serves as a powerful instrument for challenging patriarchal norms and promoting inclusive development. However, the effectiveness of such communication hinges on its ability to transcend message dissemination and function as a process of negotiation, identity reformation, and structural change. The review underscores the importance of dialogic communication models as well as the localisation of strategies in achieving meaningful and sustainable empowerment outcomes for women.
Egbai et al. (2026) studied this question.