Strategies for Enhancing Gender Equity among Railway Workers in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the strategies needed for enhancing gender equity among Railway workers in Lagos State South West Nigeria. The design of the study was descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 482 and the sample size was 217 consisting of 112 senior and 105 junior staff of Nigerian Railway Corporation Ebute-Metta Lagos. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using mean. Findings revealed that the strategies for promoting gender equity are creating an inclusive gender diverse working environment, identifying and preventing gender biases, treating all staff equally, putting equality policies in place, among others. Findings also indicated that the challenges to enhancing gender equity included gender biases, not giving proper value to women’s work among others. Findings also showed that some of the ways of reducing challenges to enhancing gender equity included treating all workers with respect and considering, offering mentorship program, organizing focus group discussions, encouraging diversity program, and supporting women in more senior roles. It was concluded that Interventions such as gender analysis, functional and adult literacy and kicking against office female harassment are needed for enhancing gender equity. It was recommended that awareness should be created by government at all level on the need for equal right for men and women in workplaces, more emphasis should be placed on the need to inculcate gender equity education into the curriculum for secondary and tertiary institutions.