Women and Discrimination in the Workplace: A Nigerian Perspective

31 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2018

See all articles by Adeyinka Adejugbe

Adeyinka Adejugbe

Adejugbe and Co Law Firm

Adedolapo Adejugbe

Adejugbe and Co Law Firm

Date Written: August 20, 2018

Abstract

There has been an irrevocably alteration in the world of work by massive entry of women into paid employment as a result of their struggle to achieve economic equality, develop new social roles, and renegotiate the relationship between paid and unpaid work. The large entry of women into the workplace in Nigeria has made obsolete the male breadwinner model, giving rise of a new model of dual career and single parent households, and the loosen of the linear life-course in favor of a wider range of life paths. Despite the labor force participation rate gradually closing up and some improvement in the educational and professional attainment of Nigerian women, there are obstacles confronting women in the workplace. The gradual closing up of the labor force participation rate and considerably improvement in women’s educational and professional attainment is yet to translate into significant improvement with respect to increased decision-making power for women and the government creating an enabling work friendly environment for women. Thus, there is still a persistent need to clamor for an expansion of women’s economic and social opportunities and the advancement of women’s rights. The methodology adopted is the qualitative method using gender gap analysis and an issue based approach.

This article analyses the various dimension of sex based discrimination and sexual inequality in the workplace, with particular reference to challenges faced in access to formal employment, promotion to managerial position and access to a decent work friendly environment. It examines the educational participation rate of Nigerian women in recent times and the labor force participation rate with relation to their impact on women in the workplace. The Nigerian’s effort in promoting sexual equality and non – discrimination with respect to its legal framework is examined in line with how adequate its provision of the laws, statutes and judicial responses are to issues relating to women in the workplace. It also looks at gender gaps in the existing legislations and laws, gaps in the implementation of these laws, non-enforcement of the existing laws with reference to international and regional standards.

Keywords: Non-Discrimination, Education, Harassment, Women, Sexual Equality, Nigeria

Suggested Citation

Adejugbe, Adeyinka and Adejugbe, Adedolapo, Women and Discrimination in the Workplace: A Nigerian Perspective (August 20, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3244971 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3244971

Adeyinka Adejugbe (Contact Author)

Adejugbe and Co Law Firm ( email )

2347039225371 (Phone)

Adedolapo Adejugbe

Adejugbe and Co Law Firm ( email )

No Address Available
Nigeria

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