Heliyon (Oct 2024)
Reexamining gender inequality in accessing resources and education stance in reducing masculine gender hegemony in Nigeria
Abstract
The role of education in abolishing cultural practices that encourage gender inequality needs consistent evaluation for inclusive, responsive policy development and implementation in a dynamic society. Eliminating masculine gender hegemony may result in attainment of international commitments like gender equality and poverty eradication. Reexamining the role of education in reducing gender inequality in patriarchal societies can highlight critical issues needing policy actions for attainment of sustainable development goals. The objectives of the study were to examine effects of education on marital and family life, income and access to land resources by male and female, as well as the effects of education on girl child education. The hypotheses that guided the study were: parents' education attainment increases girl child education opportunity; education attainment reduces male-female income gap and education attainment increases women access to land. The study was conducted in Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to collect primary data from 720 households using a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Pearson Correlation tests. Results showed significant disparity among men, women, girls and boys education attainments. Significantly, male have more access to land and other resources than female. The work discussed implications of the existing gender disparity despite efforts to bridge the gap and noted effects of education in reducing the gaps and ensuring gender equality. The paper is optimistic that terminating gender inequality as education policy can significantly improve girl child education, reduce girls' marriages, improve marital life, increase females’ income and access to information as well as land resources.
