Religion and Labour Force Participation in Nigeria: Is there any Inequality among Women?

Abstract

This paper provides answers to the question on the effects of religion on female labour force participation in Nigeria, using trend analysis from three Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and secondary data. The study reveals that female labour force participation in Nigeria increased from 39.3% in 1990 to 48.1% in 2011. The logistic models established that religion has a positive significant effect on female labour force participation indicators (P<0.0001). The relationship between working at home and Islam remains significant in all the three data sets (P<0.001) while it creates mixed reactions in all other religious groups. Engaging in unpaid work was significant with other Christian and Muslim women in all the three data sets even with the adjusted models except in 2013 alone for Catholic women. We conclude that increase in female labour force participation will emancipate women from the trap of poverty and give them a voice in decision making in Nigeria. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016 (Special Edition); 20[3]: 75-84).Keywords: Inequality, women. Muslims, Education. Labour force. RésuméCe document fournit des réponses à la question sur les effets de la religion sur la participation de la population active féminine au Nigeria, en utilisant l'analyse des tendances à partir de trois Enquêtes démographiques et de santé (EDS) et des données secondaires. L'étude révèle que la participation de la population active féminine au Nigeria est passée de 39,3% en 1990 à 48,1% en 2011. Les modèles logistiques mis en place ont démontré que la religion a un effet positif significatif sur les indicateurs de participation de la population active féminine (P <0, 0001). La relation entre le travail au foyer et l'islam reste significative dans tous les trois ensembles de données (P <0,001) alors qu'il crée des réactions mitigées dans tous les autres groupes religieux. S"engager à un travail non rémunéré était significatif chez d'autres femmes chrétiennes et musulmanes dans tous les trois ensembles de données, même chez les modèles ajustés, sauf en 2013 seulement pour les femmes catholiques. Nous concluons que l'augmentation de la participation de la population active féminine représentera une libération des femmes du piège de la pauvreté et en leur donnant ainsi une voix dans la prise de décision au Nigeria. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016 (Edition Spéciale); 20[3]: 75-84).

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