This study investigated the impact of socio-cultural constraints on female labour productivity (FLP) in Kano Municipal LGA, Kano State. The aim was to identify the key socio-cultural factors influencing FLP and to assess their significance using the Decision Tree (CART) model, which was selected due to its ability to capture the non-linear effects of socio-cultural variables. The study adopted a structured questionnaire for primary data collection, targeting residents of the three most populous LGAs in Kano State. The theoretical framework integrated Human Capital Theory, Feminist Economic Theory, and Gender and Development Theory. The findings revealed that education, sector of employment, religious mobility restrictions, hours worked, and household decision autonomy significantly impacted FLP, with education and formal sector employment being the most influential factors. The study concluded that addressing socio-cultural barriers, particularly religious mobility restrictions and household decision autonomy, is crucial for improving FLP in Kano Municipal LGA. Therefore, the study recommended that policymakers promote female education, reduce religious mobility restrictions, increase access to formal sector employment, empower women in household decision-making, and integrate these socio-cultural considerations into broader policy frameworks to enhance female labour market participation in northern Nigeria.
References
Adams, J. (2023). Gender and economic productivity in developing countries. Journal of Global Economics, 47(3), 102-117.
Abolade, D. A. (2014). Socio-cultural factors as determinants of female leadership quality: Implications for human resource development. Kadınlarda Liderlik Kalitesinin Belirleyicisi Olarak Sosyo-Kültürel Faktörler; İnsan Kaynakları Gelişimine Yönelik Etkiler, 14(1), 53-62.
Amadi, A., & Okafor, T. (2022). The impact of socio-cultural constraints on women's economic activities. Gender and Development, 15(2), 79-93.
Anderson, T., & Green, M. (2024). Education, economic independence, and female labour force participation. Journal of Labour Economics, 59(1), 101-118.
Bello, F., & Salami, D. (2022). Gender equity and labor productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Gender and Development, 9(3), 32-48.
Benjamin, L., & Sarah, C. (2024). Cultural norms and female workforce participation in sub-Saharan Africa. African Economic Review, 29(2), 224-236.
Carter, R., & Brown, K. (2023). The Gender Bonus: Economic growth through female labor participation. Economic Growth Journal, 41(2), 56-70.
Chukwudi, F., & Alimi, M. (2023). Rural women's economic roles and the effects of socio-cultural limitations. Journal of African Economics, 34(5), 95-112.
Eze, I., & Okafor, V. (2024). Improving female labor productivity through education and policy reform. Nigerian Journal of Economic Development, 24(3), 213-228.
Etuk, U. R., Ekerete, B. I., & Okoro, G. I. (2019). Socio-cultural constraints to women participation in community development in Akwa Ibom State. Journal of Community Development, 15, 239-249.
Faith, Irene, & Mohammed, V. (2023). Marital status and female labour productivity in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Economic Development, 39(4), 215-230.
Faith, Lillian, & Paul, N. (2022). Formal and informal employment in Kano Municipal LGA: Gendered dimensions. Development and Change, 34(1), 79-92.
Johnson, L., & Green, D. (2024). Labour market supply and demand: A gender perspective. Labour Economics Journal, 58(1), 123-134.
Jayachandran, S. (2021). Social norms as a barrier to women’s employment in developing countries. IMF Economic Review, 10, 1057/s41308-021-00140-w.
Kanu, C., & Nwachukwu, O. (2024). Religious and traditional influences on female employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Social Sciences, 18(2), 123-136.
Lucas, M., & Njeri, P. (2022). Barriers to female labor force participation in East Africa. Economic Development Quarterly, 10(4), 56-70.
Nwosu, M., & Ekpenyong, U. (2023). The role of patriarchal norms in female economic participation. African Gender Studies, 31(4), 145-160.
Peter, N., & Daniels, W. (2021). Informal sector and women’s economic productivity in Africa. African Journal of Labour Economics, 17(2), 42-58.
Rodrigues, F., & Bello, S. (2022). Addressing gender inequalities in the labor market for economic development. Gender Studies Review, 28(4), 82-98.
Singh, P., & James, F. (2023). Cultural constraints and female workforce participation in developing countries. Journal of Development Studies, 42(3), 250-268.
Susan, F., & Lee, G. (2023). Decision-making autonomy and women’s economic output in West Africa. Women’s Studies International Forum, 41(2), 103-118.