Gender Influence on Health Care Utilization among Antenatal Care Women in Nigeria.

Gender is a very serious factor affecting maternal health particularly in a patriarchal setting like Nigeria. Gender is a force that exacerbated poor utilization of maternal health services. The dynamics of gender roles especially in a patriarchal society affects maternal roles adversely through male domination, female dependency, low status of women and socio-economic status, cultural beliefs and practices with unpleasant implications for poor maternal health utilization which culminate in high maternal mortality and morbidity. Efforts of international and national summits on Safe Motherhood such as the International Safe Motherhood Initiative, 1987 in Kenya, International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), 1994, Beijing- Fourth world Conference on Women, 1995, United Nations MDGs 2000, and its local equivalent in Nigeria such as National Safe Motherhood Conference, Abuja 1990, Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health Strategy 2007 among others have succeeded poorly in advancing the cause of poor health status of women during the past decades. Maternal mortality statistics remain high in Nigeria. Men decide where and when their households go for health care services, antenatal care (ANC) and delivery services. In fact maternal mortality is a very sensitive indicator of inequality and a resultant offshoot of gender role which is embedded in several patriarchal cultural practices. While the patriarchal system confers on men a superior position in the family decision-making process, the cultural setting gives recognition to men as the traditional head of the household. The gender inequality index of Nigeria is very low with Nigeria ranking 153 out of 186 countries (UNDPHDR, 2013). Nigeria has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world, ranked second globally with 37,000 cases of maternal deaths annually. While India occupied the first place with 136,000 maternal deaths and Pakistan was in the third place with 26,000 deaths. Ironically, Nigeria with only 2% of the world’s population accounts for 10% of global maternal deaths. Each day 144 Nigerian women die in childbirth, which is equivalent to one death every 10 minutes. Decision to seek treatment may be influenced by a woman’s socio- economic status and cultural dogmas in the household. In Nigeria, 62% of births take place at home (NPC 2009). Access to quality health care during pregnancy and delivery are vital forces in influencing maternal morbidity and mortality. Regrettably, it’s the male folks that do not bear the burden of pregnancy and child birth that virtually decides the fate of their spouses including use of treatment issues

Gender Discrimination and National Politics: The Nigerian Case

Women participation in Nigerian politics is crucial to the development of Nigeria and since women constitute a sizeable proportion of the population, neglecting them may mean losing their valuable contribution. Traditional socio-economic and political and cultural structures aid discrimination against women leading to loss of contributions of women to societal development. Raising the status of women through gender empowerment has is considered in certain quarters as vital in the quest towards improvement in living standards and wellbeing of the masses in economies transiting to stability. Despite global efforts to improve the poor conditions of women through numerous conventions and conferences such as CEDAW, MDGs among others, gender discrimination has not ceased. The paper aims at throwing light on gender discrimination, obstacles to gender equality and suggests strategies for promoting effective gender equality and empowerment of women. Using secondary data, from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, the paper found that gender discrimination exists in all variable indicators considered. Current status of Nigerian women in relation to men in the areas of education, income, labor force and share of seats in parliament or level of political participation were considered. Some of the main factors militating against women’s effective participation in politics are illiteracy, poverty, money politics, instrument of intimidation, harmful traditional practices and discriminatory cultural stereotypes, violence against women, barriers by electoral process, and religious barriers. It is suggested that more efforts are required by civil society groups and government agencies for greater awareness on gender issues and rekindling efforts of all stakeholders in the quest to formulating policies and programs towards reduction of gender inequality

Impact of Employees’ Commitment on Productivity of Lower Cadre Employees in Nigerian Manufacturing Organizations

For business organizations to survive in the face of stiff competition, hostilities in operations and global meltdown, they must attract and retain people who are able and willing to perform and even go beyond what is required. This study examined the effect of job commitment on productivity among lower cadre employees in Lagos state Nigeria The study adopted a survey research design. The Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (ORQ) was adopted in this study. Two hundred and sixty three junior workers were randomly selected. The male participants were 159 (60%) and 104 (40%) were females. Their ages range from 21-42years with the mean of 32.6years.168 (64%) participants had spent above 3 years and 95(36%) had spent less than 6 years. Two hypotheses were raised and tested. The findings revealed a significant contribution of remuneration package in predicting workers’ productivity and a significant relationship between remuneration packages and workers’ morale. It was recommended that management must ensure that employee’s remuneration package is paid as and when due since their job satisfaction is very much related to enhanced productivity. It was concluded that remuneration systems are very crucial in today’s organization. The type of system will determine the caliber of staff and the retention ability of an organization

Patterns of Workplace Violence Among Women in Informal Sector in South West, Nigeria

This study examined the patterns of workplace violence among women in informal sector. The study adopted a survey research design. Three hundred and seventy-four women working in informal sector like farm, bakery, laundry, canteen and various construction sites were randomly selected. Their ages range from 21- 48 years with the mean of 32.6 years. Workplace Violence Questionnaire (WOVIQ) was used to collect data for this study. Two hypotheses were raised to test workplace violence among women in informal sector across educational qualifications and ages. The findings revealed a significant difference in self-reported workplace violence based on age of women working in informal sector at F (3, 373) =23.66; p<.05 and significant difference in self reported workplace violence based on level of education of women working in informal sector was at F (3, 373) =28.46; p<.05. It was concluded that although all female workers experienced workplace violence in their workplace at different degrees, it was discovered that the younger the female workers are ones who reported workplace violence more. Apart from age which is significant in determining the workplace violence among female workers, level of education also influences workplace violence, the higher the level of education the less the reported workplace violence. It was recommended that supervisors at different sites, firms etc should discourage any negative practice in the non-formal workplace including sexual harassment. Secondly, because of their status, female employees should be protected by legislation against such acts. Thirdly, non-governmental organizations interested in women issues should provide forum for female workers to bring forward their complaints whenever they experience workplace violence and other related discriminator

The Politics and Sociology of Corruption in Nigeria's Fourth Republic

Rhetorics and promises by politicians in the campaign trail are o.fien not delivered to the people as a result of their interest in carting away puhlic funds for. thereby rendering their followers pauperized. Good governance is ensured in a corruption-free environment. This paper appraises the on-going campaign against corruption in Nigeria. especially during the Fourth Republic. The paper. argues that corruption is one of the worst problems, hindering Nigeria's progress in socio-economic growth and development. Some non-governmental Otganizations and civil society/liberty associations have been promoting anticorruption crusades but there is needfor wider publicity on the cancerous monster ravaging the nation. The fight against corruption in Nigeria requires thorough access to useful information for the masses. The paper pointed out that curbing corruption has to do with full awareness of its devastating efi'ects and how the political elites as well as leaders in power are playing with peoples' well being. In the light of this, the paper recommends a national rebirth/reorientation on anticorruption in Nigeria. Enthroning a value system tlzat rejects corruption in all levels o.fsociety will add to the fight against corruption. In addition. government should empower the masses through provision of infrastructure and amenities needed for elltrepreneurial skills/vocational acquisition to flourish and thereby reduce the extent ofpoverty in the country

Challenges in public housing provision in the post independence era in Nigeria

This study investigated the contextual and organizational challenges in public housing provision in Nigeria in the post independence era. It was motivated by dearth of empirical studies on organizational challenges in public housing in this country. Using data derived from a survey of fifteen public housing agencies in southern Nigeria, the study found that scarcity of housing finance, lack of consistency and continuity in housing policy formulation and poor implementation strategies, unfavorable political environment and declining population of tradesmen in the construction industry were key contextual challenges militating against public housing provision. In addition, low level of inter-agencies collaborations, poor staff motivation and rewarding system as well as inadequate operational equipment and vehicles were responsible for the inability of public housing agencies to deliver on their housing mandate in the study area. The paper suggests that stable polity, consistency in housing policies and programs and capacity building in public housing agencies through public-private partnerships are needed to improve on the quantity and quality of public housing in Nigeri

Gender Discrimination and National Politics: The Nigerian Case

Women participation in Nigerian politics is crucial to the development of Nigeria and since women constitute a sizeable proportion of the population, neglecting them may mean losing their valuable contribution. Traditional socio-economic and political and cultural structures aid discrimination against women leading to loss of contributions of women to societal development. Raising the status of women through gender empowerment has is considered in certain quarters as vital in the quest towards improvement in living standards and wellbeing of the masses in economies transiting to stability. Despite global efforts to improve the poor conditions of women through numerous conventions and conferences such as CEDAW, MDGs among others, gender discrimination has not ceased. The paper aims at throwing light on gender discrimination, obstacles to gender equality and suggests strategies for promoting effective gender equality and empowerment of women. Using secondary data, from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, the paper found that gender discrimination exists in all variable indicators considered. Current status of Nigerian women in relation to men in the areas of education, income, labor force and share of seats in parliament or level of political participation were considered. Some of the main factors militating against women’s effective participation in politics are illiteracy, poverty, money politics, instrument of intimidation, harmful traditional practices and discriminatory cultural stereotypes, violence against women, barriers by electoral process, and religious barriers. It is suggested that more efforts are required by civil society groups and government agencies for greater awareness on gender issues and rekindling efforts of all stakeholders in the quest to formulating policies and programs towards reduction of gender inequality