CARE ECONOMY AND FEMALE LABOUR PARTICIPATION IN ABAKALIKI

CARE ECONOMY AND FEMALE LABOUR PARTICIPATION IN ABAKALIKI

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​​​​​​​Background of the study

One of the most striking phenomena of recent times has been the extent to which women have increased their share of the labour force; the increasing participation of women in paid work has been driving employment trends and the gender gaps in labour force participation rates have been shrinking. Especially in the 1980s and early 1990s, labour force growth was substantially higher for women than for men for every region of the world except Africa. In the developed industrialized countries, increasing female labour force participation has been linked to the completion of the fertility transition. In many developing countries, however, fertility decline has been slow or stalled(Asongu and Odhiambo, 2020). Even if significant advances have been made to enhance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the female labour force participation has decreased by nearly 10 per cent between 1990 and 2021. The latest data show that the labour force participation of women of 25 years of age and older is 48.5 per cent, compared to 83.4 per cent among men of the same age group.2 Yet, approximately 64 per cent of women workers are employed in the informal sector, which leaves them with low-paid and highly vulnerable jobs and no social protection (ESCAP 2019a). Women’s engagement in the labour market, in both formal and informal sectors, overlaps with their care responsibilities. In Nigeria, the time women spend in paid and unpaid care and domestic work is the highest among all regions in the world. In contrast to men, women spend four times more than men on unpaid care and domestic work and have to combine paid work with this disproportionate burden of unpaid work (ESCAP 2021b). An estimated $3.8 trillion could be added to the economy if the unpaid care and domestic work of women were added to the GDP measurements of Asia and the Pacific. 3 Given the persistence of gender roles and social norms, women not only bear the greater load of unpaid care and domestic work but are also predicted to limit their labour force participation because of it. Historically, Abakaliki has been characterized by traditional gender norms that assign primary responsibility for caregiving and domestic duties to women, while men are often expected to be the primary breadwinners (Awotona, 2018). Consequently, women face significant challenges in reconciling their caregiving responsibilities with paid employment, leading to lower rates of female labor force participation compared to men. Existing literature highlights the complex relationship between the care economy and female labor participation. Studies indicate that the availability and affordability of formal care services play a crucial role in enabling women to participate in the labor force. However, in Abakaliki, there is limited research examining the accessibility and quality of formal care services, as well as their impact on women's employment decisions. Moreover, socio-cultural norms and institutional constraints shape women's experiences in the labor market. Deep-rooted patriarchal structures often limit women's access to education, training, and employment opportunities, further exacerbating gender disparities in labor force participation. Understanding the socio-cultural context is essential for designing effective policies and interventions to promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment in Abakaliki (Chapman, 2015). Therefore, this study seeks to fill existing gaps in knowledge by investigating how the care economy influences female labor participation in Abakaliki. By examining the challenges and opportunities faced by women in balancing caregiving responsibilities with paid employment, this research aims to inform evidence-based policy interventions that promote gender-inclusive economic development in the region. Therefore, the researcher sought to examine care economy and female labour participation in Abakaliki.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The care economy, encompassing unpaid care work and formal care services, plays a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping labor dynamics, particularly concerning female workforce participation. In Abakaliki, Nigeria, where traditional gender roles and societal expectations persist, understanding the interplay between the care economy and female labor participation is paramount for fostering gender equality and economic development (Adekanye, 2014). However, despite its significance, there is a dearth of comprehensive research examining how the care economy influences female labor participation in Abakaliki. Existing studies often fail to provide nuanced insights into the specific challenges and opportunities faced by women in balancing caregiving responsibilities with paid employment in the local context. Abakaliki's labor force participation rate among women remains comparatively low, raising questions about the factors contributing to this disparity(Aidoo-Mensah, 2018). Understanding how caregiving responsibilities intersect with employment decisions among women is essential for devising targeted interventions to enhance female labor force participation. Women in Abakaliki are disproportionately burdened with unpaid care work, including childcare, elderly care, and household chores. The extent to which these responsibilities impede women's ability to engage in paid employment and pursue career advancement remains poorly understood. Clarifying the impact of unpaid care work on women's labor market outcomes is crucial for devising policies that promote equitable access to economic opportunities (Akanle, 2018). The availability and affordability of formal care services, such as childcare facilities and eldercare support, are likely to influence women's labor market decisions. However, there is limited research examining the accessibility and quality of such services in Abakaliki. Investigating the barriers faced by women in accessing formal care services can inform policy interventions aimed at facilitating greater female labor force participation. Deep-rooted socio-cultural norms and institutional constraints shape gender roles and expectations regarding caregiving and employment in Abakaliki (Akanle, 2018). These norms may act as barriers or facilitators to women's participation in the labor force. Exploring the interplay between socio-cultural factors, institutional frameworks, and women's labor market outcomes is essential for devising culturally sensitive policies that promote gender equality and economic empowerment.

Addressing these gaps in knowledge is critical for advancing our understanding of the relationship between the care economy and female labor participation in Abakaliki. By identifying the structural barriers and opportunities faced by women in reconciling caregiving responsibilities with paid employment, this research aims to inform evidence-based policy interventions aimed at promoting gender-inclusive economic development in the region. Hence, the study examine care economy and female labour participation in Abakaliki.

1.3 Objective of the study

Generally, the study examine care economy and female labour participation in Abakaliki. The specific objectives is as follows

1. To assess the impact of care work on women's ability to engage in paid employment and pursue career advancement in Abakaliki

2. To examine the relationship between the care economy and female labor force participation in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

3. To explore the role of socio-cultural norms in shaping women's experiences in the labor market  in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

1. What is the impact of care work on women's ability to engage in paid employment and pursue career advancement in Abakaliki?

2. Is there a relationship between the care economy and female labor force participation in Abakaliki, Nigeria?

3. What is the role of socio-cultural norms in shaping women's experiences in the labor market  in Abakaliki, Nigeria?

1.5 Research hypotheses

The hypotheses have been formulated to further guide the study

H0: Care economy does not have an impact on female labour participation in Abakaliki

Ha:  Care economy have an impact on female labour participation in Abakaliki

1.6 Significance of the study

The study will be significant to the following

Policymakers: By shedding light on the intricate relationship between the care economy and female labor participation, this study can inform the development of gender-sensitive policies and interventions aimed at promoting women's economic empowerment in Abakaliki. Policymakers can use the findings to design targeted initiatives to reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women and enhance their access to formal care services, thus facilitating greater female labor force participation and contributing to overall economic growth.

Ministry of women affairs: Ultimately, the study's significance lies in its potential to empower women in Abakaliki by providing them with a deeper understanding of the structural barriers and opportunities shaping their participation in the labor force. By raising awareness of the intersecting dynamics of the care economy and labor market participation, women can make more informed decisions regarding their employment choices, negotiate for better working conditions, and advocate for their rights within their communities and workplaces.

Academia: the findings of the study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.7 Scope of the study

The study focuses on care economy and female labour participation in Abakaliki. Hence, the study will assess the impact of unpaid care work on women's ability to engage in paid employment and pursue career advancement in Abakaliki, examine the relationship between the care economy and female labor force participation in Abakaliki, Nigeria and explore the role of socio-cultural norms in shaping women's experiences in the labor market  in Abakaliki, Nigeria. The study is delimited to Abakaliki.

1.8 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are:

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.9 Definition of terms

Care Economy: The care economy refers to the economic activities associated with the provision of care, including both unpaid care work, such as household chores and caregiving responsibilities, and formal care services, such as childcare and eldercare, that are provided through paid employment or social services.

Female Labor Participation: Female labor participation refers to the involvement of women in the labor force through either paid employment or actively seeking employment. It encompasses various forms of work, including formal employment, self-employment, and unpaid family work.

Unpaid Care Work: Unpaid care work refers to the provision of care and domestic duties, including childcare, eldercare, cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks, performed without financial compensation. This type of work is often carried out within the family or household context and disproportionately falls on women in many societies.

Formal Care Services: Formal care services are professional care services provided through formal institutions or organizations, such as childcare centers, nursing homes, and home care agencies. These services are typically paid for and may include childcare, eldercare, healthcare, and other support services.

Socio-Cultural Norms: Socio-cultural norms refer to the unwritten rules and expectations within a society regarding appropriate behavior, roles, and responsibilities based on cultural beliefs, traditions, and values. These norms often influence individuals' attitudes and behaviors towards gender roles, family dynamics, and social interactions.

Labor Force Participation Rate: The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the working-age population (typically defined as individuals aged 15 to 64 years) that is either employed or actively seeking employment. It is a key indicator of the extent to which the population is engaged in the labor market.

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