In Nigeria, gender roles determine how men and women work. These roles come from traditions and affect jobs today.
What Are Gender Roles?
Gender roles are expectations about how men and women should act. In Nigeria, these expectations tend to say men work outside and women do the housework.
Women in the Workforce
The majority of Nigerian women do work. In 2023, 52% of women aged 15 years and above were in the labor force, compared to 48% of men. But they do different kinds of work than men.
Types of Jobs Women Do
Over 70% of Nigerian women work in the informal sector. This includes trading, farming, and small businesses. These jobs are important but often don’t have benefits like health insurance.
Pay Differences
Women often earn less than men. In Northern Nigeria, women earn about 65% of what men do. This pay gap makes it harder for women to support their families.
Education and Employment
Education affects job opportunities. Girls are more likely to leave school early than boys. This limits their job options and keeps them in lower-paying roles.
Early Marriage and Work
Many young women marry early. At age 20, less than 4% of men are married, compared to about 50% of women in rural areas. Early marriage often means they stop working or never start.
Challenges in Formal Employment
Women face challenges in formal jobs. They may lack access to training or face discrimination. This keeps them from higher-paying positions.
Women in Business
Despite challenges, Nigerian women are active in business. The share of female business owners in Nigeria falls in the highest quintile of all economies for which there are data. But they often run smaller enterprises with less profit.
Government Policies
Policies often focus on formal jobs. However, since many women work informally, they miss out on support. This makes it harder for them to grow their businesses.
Balancing Work and Home
Women often balance work with home duties. This double burden can limit their job choices and advancement.
Moving Forward
To improve, Nigeria needs to support women’s education and job opportunities. This includes recognizing and valuing informal work.
Conclusion
Gender roles in Nigeria affect how men and women work. Understanding these roles helps us create fairer workplaces. For more information, visit genderpedia.ng/shop to find resources on this topic.
