Child labour among Horticultural Households in Bauchi State, Nigeria: A gender perspective

The study examined the gender dimension of child labour among horticultural households in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data were collected on child, household and community characteristics. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the multinomial logit regression model at p=0.05. Results showed that more female children were attending school only (29.30%) than males (18.85%). Male children participated more in work outside the home such as work on family farm (74.62%) while females were involved in household chores (56.69%) they also spent more time in these activities than in school. Increasing age of both male and female children increases the likelihood of their involvement in child labour. Household ownership of farmland increases the likelihood of male children being in all the activity options. For female children, increasing number of preschool aged children (0-4 years) in the household increases the likelihood of their working full time. The study therefore appeals that considering both gender, children in horticultural households of Bauchi State should be encouraged to stay in school to achieve at least the specified nine years of basic education.