Women in the workforce and family-related challenges of married women in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined the women in the workforce and various family-related challenges faced in Kwara State, Nigeria, in relation to certain variables. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of all working-class married women in the Kwara State Civil Service. A combination of stratified and purposive sampling methods was utilized to select 700 respondents from local government secretariats and schools across the state’s three senatorial districts. Data on the variables under study were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, and inferential statistics of t-test. The study found worrying often about my family”, ‘lack of quality time with my husband’, and ‘arriving home late always as some of the challenges faced by working-class married women. Also, the study showed a significant difference in the family-related challenges of working-class married women in Kwara State based on level of education and number of children. It was therefore recommended that women should seek the support of their husbands with some home activities, making use of some technological devices to ease the work in the home. Like procuring a washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner etc. These and many more devices will assist in the reduction of family responsibility of the woman to the husband and children thereby reducing family-related challenges and would enable women to perform their roles effectively both at work and in the family, and also women should carefully evaluate the job responsibilities before picking up any job.