Women participation in Nigerian trade union movements: a comparative analysis of the Northern and Southern regions in the fourth republic

• Main Author: Ali, Mustapha Alhaji
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: DT Africa; JA Political science (General)
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/8669/1/s901271_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/8669/2/s901271_02.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/8669/3/s901271_references.docx; https://etd.uum.edu.my/8669/

Nigerian Trade Union (NTU) serves as a platform to safeguard and guarantee the interests and rights of workers in government organizations, regardless of gender and age. There is, however, a contrasting trend with regard to women participation in the Union in the Northern and Southern regions. In comparison to men, the level of women participation in the NTU is much lower in the Northern region than in the Southern region. Hence, this study examines the participation of women in Nigerian trade union movements of Northern and Southern regions in the Fourth Republic through comparative analysis. This study adopts a qualitative method of data collection. A total of twenty-two respondents from the two regions were interviewed using unstructured questions. MAXQDA 2018 software version is used to analyze the data obtained from the field. In explaining the topic under investigation, the study has adopted the following three theories as a tool of research analysis: Empowerment, Social Constructivism and Liberal Feminist theories. The key framework of these theories is largely premised on women empowerment and gender equality. These theories emphasize on the need for empowering women and gender fairness in every organization. The basis of the Social Constructivism theory is that gender inequality is socially constructed. The findings of this study demonstrate that women in the Southern region are empowered and participate actively in the trade union movements as compared to their Northern counterparts whom are not adequately empowered and are often subjugated to domestic activities. This condition occurs due to the gender stereotype as well as cultural and religious inclination. The underlying reasons behind the active participation in trade union movements and empowerment of NTU female members in the Southern region are their equal access to education, the strong influence of Lagos market women and their frequent exposure to NTU activities. Therefore, the study recommends that the Nigerian government should enact national policies and strategies to encourage women participation and empowerment in the trade union movements of both regions. The study adds that there is a need for women to be educated on gender discrimination by implementing the 35 percent Geneva Affirmative Action.