Gender Stereotyping And Employment Opportunities For Women In Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Tajudeen Adebowale Oduwole

Keywords: development, gender-female, SDGs, stereotype, unemployment.

Abstract

The eradication of gender inequality appears almost impossible in human society. Glaringly, females generally get lesser opportunities, especially land and credit. Even basic demands for education, employment and healthcare have been illusive for women. This is an anathema to sustainable development. This study examines employment opportunities available for women in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The study population consists of 124,944 women. A multistage sampling technique was used for the study. The population was stratified into homogeneous groups and the random sampling procedure was used to select samples for the study. Altogether, 120 women were purposively selected from 12 administrative subdivisions in Kachia Local Government Area. Chi-square was used to test hypotheses based on the objectives of the study. The study results revealed high level of stereotype against women in Kachia Local Government Area (x2=(df=4) =66.667, p<01. Discrimination against women manifests in some jobs being classified as belonging to some ‘class of people’, instead of relying on performances and excellence in determining employment rating. The study concludes that inequalities caused by gender stereotyping in Kachia Local Government Area do not refer only to the ratio of women to men in employment, but also to the probability of women reaching certain position when employed. The study recommends that there is need for the removal of self-imposed inferiority complex on the part of the females and there should be awareness creation to eliminate stereotypic thought against women.

Author Biography

Tajudeen Adebowale ODUWOLE

Department of Sociology, Nigerian Army University Biu, Borno State, Nigeria

Email: toduwole2@gmail.com

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