GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The struggle for equal rights and freedom from discrimination for the Nigerian woman preceded independence. In 1935, Mrs. Oyinkan Abayomi (later Lady Abayomi) wrote that both sexes must be equally and fairly educated in order to ensure a true nationhood (Ayo Oyajobi 1991:76). Lady Abayomi later led the women party to demand from the colonial government the employment of more women in the various categories of the civil service and equal pay for equal work. This demand was waved aside by the then Chief Secretary in the following words: "women don't make good saleswomen and since women don't have the same financial responsibilities as men, they should not have equal salaries" (Ayo Oyajobi: Ibid p. 77). The Chief Secretary's submission captures the traditional attitude to and treatment of women vis-a-vis the men in society. In ancient civilization, women were regarded and treated as chattels and therefore they were no better than merchandise displayed at the market