Reducing Gender Inequality in Labour Force Participation in Nigeria: The School-To-Work Transition Policy Approach
- February 14, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue I, January 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Rifkatu Nghargbu, Ph.D
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Assembly, Abuja, Nigeria
Abstract: – This paper examines the existing gender inequality in labour force participation in Nigeria with a view to suggest policy options in school-to-work transition that will reduce the inequality. Using the National Bureau of statistics (2019) report for men and women, Statistical evidences revealed unjustified gender inequality in labour force participation in all sectors especially in professional, technical and managerial jobs which can be traced to the level of schooling especially at tertiary level. The study concludes that school-to-work transition policy provides alternative ways to reducing gender inequality in female labour participation. As a recommendation, reduction in gender inequality in labour participation calls for gender-sensitive policies that will improve female school-to-work transition especially at the tertiary level. Tackling the existing gender inequality is one of the effective ways to end poverty in Nigeria and enhance economic, social and political development to achieve SDGs by 2030.
I. INTRODUCTION
Enhancing gender equality and women empowerment is a globally recognized development strategy for reducing poverty and hunger, improving health and living standards of the society. It is also a sure way to enhance people-centred development and efficiency of public investments. The attainment of gender equality is not just an end in itself but a prerequisite for the achievement of sustainable development goals (The National Coalition on Affirmative Action, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2009).
In Nigeria, lack of effective participation of women and equal gender opportunity in the labour market to enhance economic, political and social status of women is a major setback to Nigerian development and progress. Nigeria has one of the lowest Gender Development Index in the world at 0.868, below Ghana (0.910) and Iran (0.871) Wikipedia (2019). Majority of women in Nigeria are not opportune to get professional, technical and managerial jobs like their male counterparts due to lack of competence and gender discrimination. As a result, many women in Nigeria typically occupy relatively poorly-paid jobs in all the sectors of the economy.
