Impacts of gender inequality on societal growth and development

Abstract

Gender inequality still exists as a result of deep rooted practices of patriarchy in most human societies despite the concerted
efforts and movements to eliminate it and this has immense impacts on societal growth and development. The study thus
examined the causes, impacts and proffered solution for gender balance on societal growth and development. The study
adopted both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source included KII with 20 respondents while
the secondary source included journals, textbooks and online materials. The data collected were presented and analyzed
with qualitative methods. Three research questions were raised and answered with the use of descriptive statistics of
frequency, percentage and Atlas Ti. Findings showed factors responsible for gender inequality in human society to include
culture, religion, stereotype, environment, imbalance in value based status etcetera. Gender inequality deprives women the
opportunity of contributing towards the societal growth and development due to their exclusion from policy formulation.
Gender inequality is a threat to societal growth and development. To prevent gender inequality, rigid gender based norms
and patriarchy should be eliminated