GENDER INEQUALITY AND WOMEN’S CAREER PROSPECTS IN KEBBI STATE CIVIL SERVICE

Abstract

Gender inequality has emerged as a critical global concern, attracting substantial attention and action from communities and organizations worldwide. One area where women experienced discrimination is the public service. Women occupy 38% representation in public administration across sub-Saharan Africa and 13.7% of executive positions in public service in Nigeria. Cultural beliefs and traditional practices have been implicated in reducing women's status such that it is difficult for them to fully participate in many social, political, and economic activities. The thrust of this paper is to examine the effects of gender inequality among women in the civil service in Kebbi State. Specifically, it examines the main challenges women face in the civil service and how cultural, social, and institutional dynamics impact the career prospects of women. This study followed a cross-sectional descriptive design involving 198 female employees randomly selected in the state. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data. Data were analysed using SPSS version 28.0. The findings of the study reveal that sociocultural and religious beliefs significantly influence the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in the civil service of the state. Cultural norms and deeply rooted traditions appear to perpetuate gender biases, limiting opportunities for women to advance into higher roles. The analysis further demonstrates that gender-sensitive recruitment and promotion policies, while intended to address these disparities, are not effectively implemented, resulting in fewer women occupying higher positions in the civil service. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address sociocultural and religious barriers while strengthening the implementation of gender-equitable policies.   Keywords: Gender inequality, Women in public service, Career advancement, Policy gaps, Kebbi State