GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND WOMEN EMPLOYMENT: A SELECTED FIRM IN BAYELSA STATE

This study examines Gender Discrimination and Women Employment Bayelsa State. Three research questions guided the study and one hypothesis was tested, the study adopted correlational research design with a target population of 100 women that were selected from companies, while the simple random sampling technique was adopted in chosen 50 women as the sample side. Data was generated primarily through a questionnaire titled “Gender Discrimination and Women Employment” was drafted and coded using the modified four-point Likert scale of strongly agree (SA), agree (A), disagree (D), and strongly disagree (SD).” The instrument was dully validated by experts’ psychometricians and it yielded a reliability index of 0.85 through the test-retest method of reliability. The research questions were answered using mean score, while the hypothesis was analyzed using Spearman Rank Order Correlation (r) at 95% confidence level. The results showed that equal right is not giving to women during company’s recruitment in Bayelsa State. Therefore, recommended that equal access should be giving to both men and women during recruitment.

Gender inequality refers to the disparities between women and men in the society in terms of their access and opportunities in the social, economic, and political spheres and their share in decision-making power at all social levels. Gender inequality acknowledges the different treatment between men and women in all spheres of life.  Gender inequality is the social phenomenon in which people are not treated equally on the basis of sex. The treatment may arise from distinctions regarding biology, psychology, or cultural norms prevalent in the society. Some of these distinctions are empirically grounded, while others appear to be social constructs. While current policies around the world cause inequality among individuals, it is women who are most affected. Gender inequality weakens women in many areas such as health, education, and business life (Carlson, 2013). Studies have shown the different experiences of gender across many domains including education, life expectancy, personality, interests, family life, careers, and political affiliation. 

Gender concept, which implies the culturally determined roles and responsibilities of men and women, varies across different cultures and in time. The policies cause many inequalities in national and international level. Within these inequalities, women are in more unfavourable situation. Nowadays, with the effect of gender inequalities, women are less educated and health participated less in labour force and earned less. As a result of gender discrimination of woman who constitutes half of the world's population, women are treated as second-class citizens and their low social status adversely affect them. This shows that, women and men have different needs and power and by consideration there should be a check and balance between these two genders. Empowerment and development of women, integration of a gender perspective into policies, strategies and practices is of great importance. Although so many attempts has been put in place to provide gender equality and to eliminate gender discrimination in the world.

Gender inequality is experienced differently across different cultures and also affects non-binary people. Traditionally, most of the women are housewives and they are synonym with childcare, at times women’s role also changes day by day as compare to traditional time. They are no longer sitting in home, struggling with housework, but as career women and contribute maximally in the day-to-day income in their respective families. In recent years, gender inequality has become a critical concept due to the manner and ways in which women are treated across board in the society which Bayelsa State is not an exemption. 

For centuries women had suffered from the exploitation, harassment, and discrimination at various levels. Records have it that women constitute70% about of the Nigerian population and as such should be considered in all activities. Government has taken it serious day-by-day and focused on how to provide equal opportunities, employment, and healthcare to both men and women. But the reverse is the case in some selected firms in Bayelsa State such that women are still considering as second-class citizens during employment and empowerment. 

Most of the common discrimination that appear to threaten the female gender include:  The belief that men are stronger than women, the belief that education of women is a waste of resources, the belief that men are the bread winners, the belief that the male child will be a support for parents in the old age, the belief is that the gild child will eventually marry and ‘come under’ their husbands hence they are treated as inferior. Furthermore, to perpetuate the superiority of the male child over the girl-child, the girl-child is trained to put herself below her male siblings. In some homes, in order to make up for the financial inadequacy of the family, the girl-child is sent out to hawk in order to raise money for the family needs. In some cases, the girl-child may be given off for domestic labour in urban area for a regular income to the family (Eze & Ezeokana, 2011).

These traditional practices/beliefs impose a lot of restrictions on the female gender education. It is regrettable that despite our progress as a society there is still an underestimation of the value of the girl-child. The psychological effect of gender discrimination and socio-cultural beliefs on the girl-child is the internalization of the low value accorded them by society. Hence, this study therefore seeks to ascertain the effects of gender discrimination on women employment in Bayelsa State.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of gender discrimination on women employment in selected firms in Bayelsa State. Specifically, the study intent to:

This study is concern with gender discrimination and women employment in selected firms in Bayelsa State. Meanwhile, its result will address most of the challenges face by women in Bayelsa State during employment. In view of the apparent danger of gender-role discrimination and socio-cultural beliefs that work against the female gender employment there is great need to address the problem through the research outcome from this study.  It will help to educate the public to shed off negative attitude against female gender employment while helping the society to create and reinforce gender stereotypes and give way to a new mind-set and a change in attitude in both male and females. The findings of the study would be helpful to employers of labour in assessing the enrolment of the girl child in paid labour, punctuality of the girl child and the monitoring of the girl child’s performance so as to encourage subsequent increase in the rate of the girl child’s attendance to school. Furthermore, the study would help parents, government, policy makers, international organizations and NGOs to boost female education.

The result of this study will be of great benefit to all female citizens within the environ in Bayelsa State, both indigene and non-indigenes will benefit from this study as its result will serve as a guide to all operating firms in Bayelsa State. The government will also benefit in no small measure as the result of this study will bring a stop to the incessant report of women harassment and discrimination in the State.

This study focuses on gender discrimination and women employment in selected firms in Bayelsa State. The firms includes: Crush Rock Industries Nigeria Limited, Gabimo Holdings LTD, Hydro Construction and Engineering Coy. LTD, Manufacturing Marketing Company LTD, and Megastar Technological Construction Company. The issue of gender discrimination is global affairs that need global attention. Meanwhile, the study is limited to gender discrimination and women employment of selected firms and its respondents are Bayelsa State women.

To avoid ambiguity in the use of key words, the following terms are defined:

Discrimination - is the act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong or are perceived to belong that are disadvantageous.

Employment - this is referring to as the state of having a paid job.

Firm - is a for-profit business organization such as a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or partnership that provides professional services.

Gender - the male sex or the female sex, especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences 

Inequality - the state of not being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.