Gender Inequality and its Impact on Women’s Economic Participation in Anambra State: A Feminist Perspective

Gender inequality remains deeply entrenched in Nigeria, particularly in the workplace, where cultural norms and discriminatory practices limit women’s career advancement and economic participation. This study focused on female gender inequality in industries in Anambra State. The study examined perceived factors promoting gender inequality in work places and how it affects women economic contribution in contemporary times. Guided by libra feminism, the study utilized survey research to collect data from 155 feminist women across diverse socio-economic backgrounds using snowball sampling technique. Findings revealed that patriarchy remains the primary contributor to gender disparities, reinforcing the idea that male-dominated structures continue to dictate social, economic, and political dynamics. The study concludes that without deliberate policy interventions, stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, and targeted empowerment programs, gender disparities will persist, hindering economic growth and social development. These findings are important as they underscore the urgency of addressing gender inequality to enhance women’s contributions to socio-economic development and advocate for broader systemic change.