UGIAGBE OSASERE ABIGAIL

This study investigates the effect of gender discrimination on women’s careers in Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria. Gender inequality remains a pervasive challenge globally and locally, manifesting in unequal pay, limited promotion opportunities, stereotyping, nd undervaluation of women’s contributions in the workforce. Despite women’s significant roles in both formal and informal economies, socio-cultural norms and institutional practices continue to restrict their career advancement and economic empowerment. The research adopted a survey design, targeting 400 women in Egor LGA, with 385 valid responses analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal that while some respondents demonstrated awareness of gender discrimination, a considerable proportion lacked knowledge of their rights or protective workplace policies. More than half of the participants reported experiencing discriminatory practices, including unequal pay, denial of promotions, and gender-based stereotyping. Additionally, 59.3% of respondents indicated that gender discrimination directly hindered their career advancement, while 56.3% felt their growth was slower than male counterparts due to bias. Discrimination was also found to negatively affect job satisfaction, motivation, and access to training and professional development. Although laws and policies exist to address gender discrimination, the study uncovered limited awareness and skepticism regarding their effectiveness and enforcement in Egor LGA. Many participants felt that local authorities had not adequately promoted awareness of these policies, and workplace enforcement was inconsistent. The study concludes that gender discrimination is a multifaceted barrier to women’s professional growth in Egor LGA, with profound socio-economic implications. It recommends increased public sensitization on gender rights, stronger enforcement of anti- discrimination laws, organizational equity audits, and gender sensitivity training. Furthermore, mentorship and empowerment initiatives are suggested to strengthen women’s representation in leadership roles and foster inclusive work environments. By highlighting the realities of workplace gender bias in a local Nigerian context, this research contributes to bridging gaps in policy and practice while offering insights that can promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable community development.