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THE EFFECT OF GENDER INEQUALITY ON WOMEN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

AN ASSESSMENT OF LAPAI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE

ABSTRACT
This study seek to examine the effect of gender inequality on women employment opportunities with specific reference to Lapai Local Government area of Niger State. The specific objectives of this study is to examine the community’s perspectives with regard to the concept of gender inequality, establish factors causing gender inequality and investigate effect of gender inequality on women employment opportunities. In pursuit of this objective the methodology used were literature review; interviews using a structured questionnaire and key informant interviews. Data analysis was undertaken using the SPSS software Version 21 for quantitative. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain frequencies, proportions, and cross-tabulations. Findings of the study revealed that although women are not restricted to engage in economic activities, still the community perspectives towards women is very negative. Women are perceived as weaker sex and unable to do the jobs effectively as compared to men. Moreover, there are inequality employment opportunities between men and women. The situation is worse for married women since they are restricted by their husbands to engage in economic activities. As a result, there is a high dependence level of women to their husbands, situation of which increases their poverty level. The study observed that the relationship between gender inequality and women employment opportunity are statistically significant: indicating that gender inequality in Lapai Local Government area is the possible reason for women’s economic backwardness. Based on these findings; is recommended that in respect of the concept of gender inequality there should be more awareness and education programs on the effects of gender inequality. In terms of factors causing gender inequality and women employment opportunities the government should enforce and enact good policies, which will eliminate the gender inequality problem in Lapai local government as well as provide conducive working environment for both men and women.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1.1        Background of the Study

In today’s economy, it is not easy to attain livelihood if one is not engaged in any economic income generating activity. Among many who fail to attain their livelihood are groups of women who are mostly vulnerable and victim of gender inequality, which has isolated them in attaining education. Thus, they become illiterate and experience extreme poverty.

In the review of 42 countries (Tanzania included) Psacharopoulos and Patrinos, (2004) show that an extra year of secondary schooling for girls can increase their future wages by 10-20% whereas the corresponding number for boys is about 5-15%. This is substantial for poor household’s employment among young women who can play a role in poverty reduction. Adolescence can be an important stage in preparing for adult roles. This is especially true for young women, for whom education or economic participation in late adolescence help overcome material, social and cultural barriers to economic gains in adulthood. The welfare gains may accrue not only to these girls and women but also to their families and children.

Thus, development literature has increasingly emphasized the school enrollment and labor force participation of adolescent girls and young women as an important pathway for poverty reduction and economic development, It is important to note, however, that gains from investments in education are much more systematically documented than gains from investments in youth training and employment (Knowles and Behrman, 2005).

For poor households, employment of women can play a role in poverty reduction. Among women, aged 15-30 who participated in a group-based credit program in average cumulative borrowing can produce an increase, in the annual per capita household expenditure, of $9, which is equivalent to 7% of the moderate poverty line and 11% of the extreme poverty line (Khandker et al, 2008). Other analyses of microcredit programs in developing countries show that female borrowing has a greater impact than male borrowing on household’s ability to smooth’ consumption over time (Khandker, 1998). Women’s employment can also translate into economic gains by an acquisition of skills for managing income, budgeting, and accumulation of savings for the future.

1.2        Statement of the Problem

Gender inequality place restrictions on women’s access to social infrastructures, such as credit and labor markets, education, federal, provincial and local decision-making bodies, and represents constraints to balanced and sustainable economic growth and the condition of young women is very poor. Tanzania is an age hierarchical and patriarchal society, which marginalizes women and girls from controlling decisions regarding their lives. The patriarchal system subject’s women and girls to discriminative practices, which result in fewer opportunities and choices compared to their male counterparts, unequal access to, and benefit from programs and services (Restless Development, Behavioral Surveillance Survey, 2011).

For example, the scourge of gender inequality has had a real role in the current intractable economic and financial crisis and family dissipation. Rajan (2010) argues that the growing income inequality was a key factor leading to the financial crisis and to the current economic downturn. Moreover, Van Treeck and Sturn (2012) survey indicated the evidence that income inequality is a cause of the recent Great Recession. In addition, Greenspan (2007), former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, says that increasing inequality is bad for business while the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron (2009), noted that an unequal country does worse according to every Quality of life indicator. While income inequality matters in its own right, it is also key to reducing poverty.

Women often receive lower pay for the same or comparable work, and they are frequently blocked their chances for advancement, especially to positions. There is usually an imbalance in the amount of housework and child care a wife does compare to her husband unequal sets of people “women” and “men” (e.g., not receiving the same pay for the same job) or subtle (e.g., not being given the same subjective opportunities for advancement) ESteve-Volart’s (2000; 2004). Generally, gender inequality plays a great role in slowing economic growth, resulting in health and social problems, including worsened education outcomes; exacerbating poverty and unemployment leading to severer social inequalities, especially among children and women’s which generates social and political instability and conflict) as exemplified by the “Arab revolution” (see also (Ortiz and Cummins, 2011; Marshall and Cole, 2011).

1.3       Research Objectives

1.3.1    General Research Objective

The general objective of this study is to examine the effect of gender inequality on women employment opportunities: an assessment of Lapai Local Government Area Of Niger State

1.3.2 Specific Research Objective

1. To examine the community’s perspectives with regard to the concept of gender inequality.
2. To establish factors causing gender inequality.
3. To investigate how gender inequality affects women’s employment opportunities and economic growth.

1.4       Research Questions

1. What are the community’s perspectives with regard to the concept of gender inequality?
2. What are the factors that cause gender inequality?
3. How does gender inequality affect women’s employment opportunity and economic growth?

1.5       Significance of the Study

This study contributes to the large body of knowledge by providing evidence about the effects of gender inequality on women’s economic growth. The study has further identified some existing gaps, which could be studied in the future. Similarly, the findings of this study are useful to project management practitioners, academics and other stakeholders in different organizations as an important reference material. Furthermore, the study calls for Lapai Local Government to ratify some international conventions, such as the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention for Prevention of All Forms Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The Gender Development Strategy, and the Right to Return to School Policy all reflect progress targets for women and girls, indicating some progress at the policy level.

1.6       Scope of the Study

This study focused on the effect of gender inequality on women employment opportunities and economic growth – an assessment of Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. The independent variable is gender inequality (imbalance of power, lack of decision making in many spheres of life and dependent variable women employment opportunities and economic growth (production and source of livelihood).