The challenges faced by women in securing job opportunities in Nigeria

It is often discussed that gender inequality is among the most significant issues that the Nigerian society faces.

Nigerian women face countless hurdles in every aspect of their lives, particularly in securing jobs.

Women in Nigeria continue to face numerous barriers and obstacles while trying to access labor markets, and the gender gap remains severe.

Despite numerous policies, programs, and initiatives, enhancing women’s economic status and employment chances remains a challenging task, particularly for many women who live in rural or semi-urban settings.

This article examines the challenges faced by women in securing job opportunities in Nigeria.

• Limited Education

Among the several challenges women face in securing jobs in Nigeria, lack of access to education is one of the major concerns.

Education is a fundamental factor that determines the chances of landing a job in Nigeria.

The absence of an educational degree remains a barrier for many women in competing and securing job opportunities, particularly when it comes to formal or professional jobs.

In Nigeria, most women receive lower educational opportunities than men, affecting their career prospects.

According to UNESCO, girls continue to lag behind boys concerning universal access, participation in, and completion of basic education.

In rural settings, the dropout rate is high due to lack of funding, distant geographic location, cultural and religious norms, and gender discrimination.

This creates a massive gap in employment opportunities, ultimately leading women to low-paid, precarious, and informal jobs.

Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace

Women are often subjected to sexual harassment and discrimination within the workplace, a significant challenge that they have to deal with daily.

Several women hide incidences of sexual harassment at work, as they fear their career development will be affected, and the perpetrator will not face any repercussions.

Sexual harassment ranges from verbal abuse, intimidation, and sexual advances, which all contribute to a hostile and uncomfortable work environment.

Discrimination against women is more ingrained within the workplace, and many women are denied job opportunities based on their gender or marital status.

Many employers require women to produce letters of consent from their husbands or specific classes of women, such as pregnant women or women of particular ages, are disqualified from getting employed.

This discrimination deprives women of their social and economic rights, leading to exclusion from the labor market.

Lack of Access to Financial Resources and Training Opportunities

Women in Nigeria face challenges in accessing financial resources and training opportunities, which are essential factors in building job opportunities.

At times, women have limited access to banks and micro-credit facilities, which affects their ability to run entrepreneurial ventures.

This lack of access to financial resources perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inequality, limiting women’s potential to enhance their skills through financial and vocational training.

The limited skills and resources for women to start businesses and entrepreneurial ventures often create a cycle of poverty, as women remain trapped in informal employment surroundings.

The lack of training opportunities in essential skills such as information technology, business administration, and finance hinders the ability of women to remain competitive within the global labor market.

This results in exclusion from the labor market, contributing to their economic and social hurdles.

Patriarchal Beliefs and Expectations

Patriarchal beliefs and expectations perpetuate gender inequality in Nigeria, traditional beliefs and cultural biases towards women’s roles in society.

These beliefs view women as inferior and subordinate to men, ultimately leading to unequal access to job opportunities.

Women who dare to step out of their stereotypical roles are often socially sanctioned and stigmatized.

The traditional expectations of women to maintain family and household responsibilities hamper their ability to work in formal or professional environments.

Women who work outside their home are often stigmatized, ostracized, and viewed as neglecting their domestic responsibilities, leading to exclusion and unnecessary judgment from the society.