Gender discrimination in Nigerian Educational System and Women Productivity: A holistic approach

Abstract

Evidence has shown that education is an enabling and transformative right as pointed out by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Right (CESCR). Education is essential to advancing human capital by enabling individuals develop their knowledge and skills throughout their lives. More so, relatively high levels of education are often related to higher earnings and productivity, better career progression, health, life satisfaction as well as better investments in education. The Global Campaign for Education (2010) states that two third of the world's non -literate adults are women which they believed emanated from gender discrimination. This situation was seen as a very serious challenge that led to various efforts by many International organisations. Nigeria is not an exception to this gender discrimination, as she has not been able to fully utilize her human resources due to this menace caused largely by cultural beliefs. This is more predominant in the Northern part where women are mostly seen as subordinate to men. Consequently, this paper discusses ways to overcoming gender discrimination, to reorienting education towards the promotion of greater gender equality in the society as poor quality of education can neither equip the woman to secure reasonable employment nor enable her to be a productive citizen.