AN EXAMINATION OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BASED INDUSTRY AS A FACTOR IN MAINSTREAMING GIRLS INTO STM EDUCATION

AN EXAMINATION OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BASED INDUSTRY AS A FACTOR IN MAINSTREAMING GIRLS INTO STM EDUCATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Gender discrimination in the workplace has become an increasingly common occurrence in recent years. Discrimination, which is still prevalent in many aspects of life around the world, is both the root cause and the source of many gender-related issues (Maduewesi, 2015). When decisions about who gets a job, promotion, or other work perks are made, women have the impression that they are sexually discriminated against on a regular basis. According to Nwana (2017) and Maduabun, both of whom were cited in Okeke (2020), there is a significant lack of female participation in science, technology, and mathematics in Nigeria. According to Hornby (2014), a woman is an adult female human being. Esan, on the other hand, believes

A woman, according to (2013), is a mature female who has grown older and gained more wisdom and experience throughout her life. Women, on the other hand, have recently been relegated to a supporting role as a result of societal trends. According to Streisand (2020), it is acceptable for men to express feelings of dedication and enthusiasm for their jobs. It’s okay for a woman to feel this way about a guy, but not about her job.

A gender stereotype is a tendency to hold a fixed set of beliefs about the roles, traits, or characteristics of a specific group of people. These ideas are frequently incorrectly generalized to be true in all situations, which is what gives rise to rise to the predisposition to have these ideas in the first place. Kanno (2013) defines it as either a set of strong beliefs on a wide range of topics or a way of life. To put it another way, he defines stereotyping as the act of attributing certain qualities or characteristics, either favorably or negatively, to a specific group of people. Despite the fact that women have achieved success in every field throughout history, Wilde (2017) views women as little more than ornamental sex. Gabe (2020), on the other hand, believed that males made the decision a few centuries ago that any job they found revolting was considered “women’s labor,” and that vocations requiring intellect, technology, and creativity were considered “men’s labor.”

The combined effect on the school system. It is a common misconception that boys and men are inherently more talented than girls and women in fields of study such as science and technology. This assumption has a negative impact on the number of women who pursue artisanal careers in science and technology. She also believes that a male artisan would be preferred by an employer or purchaser of a service over a female equivalent due to the former’s higher rate of production.

According to Nyerere, as cited in Ogunjobi (2018), “no one can walk far or swiftly with only one leg,” which is why it is an economic necessity for women to fully participate in the artisan vocations available in the market. Science and technology are two examples of fields. According to Ogunjobi (2018), women constitute approximately 51 percent of the Nigerian population. As a result, if Nigeria is to achieve both sustainable economic development and the Millennium Development Goals, it cannot ignore or neglect the scientific potentials of its female population. As a result, it is impossible to overstate the importance of women working in artisan vocations based on science and technology. In addition to lowering the unemployment rate, it will give women more agency and contribute to the national economy’s expansion. According to Nnaka (2005), after gaining knowledge and training in science and technology, women are less likely to be shy or easily intimidated.

frightened. Because hardworking women are less likely to engage in illegal activities, the overall crime rate will decrease.

The proportion of young people in a number of African countries choosing to major in scientific fields is declining, and there is already a shortage of scientists and engineers on the labor market; this shortage will only worsen as the continent’s population ages (Opaluwah, 2007). When attempting to increase the number of students enrolled in science classes, one of the most important factors to consider is the motivation of young people. Access to sufficient knowledge and scientific literacy are also important factors. School students begin learning at a very young age (often in primary school).

to form their perspectives on science, which may have a positive or negative impact on their attitudes toward science and technology. Nigerian women continue to face barriers to employment, particularly in fields centered on science and technology, as a result of their disproportionate share of the burden within the family division of labor. As a result, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for women’s empowerment and gender equality is being hampered in a meaningless way (Opaluwah, 2017).

The single most significant barrier preventing women from entering scientific and technologically based artisan occupations is societal mindset. [Citation required] Many long-held beliefs have been passed down through generations. These myths are directly related to the vocational constraints that are imposed on women’s ambition and inspiration. It is widely held that women who work in artisan vocations based on science and technology, for example, lose traditionally feminine qualities such as passivity, emotionalism, intuition, and receptivity. Onuebunwa (2018), on the other hand, believes that this situation will continue. As a result, in order to earn a living, Nigerian women must fight an oppressive socio-cultural religious, illiterate, and outright discrimination in certain occupations. This is due to social and cultural beliefs diverting them from science and technology-based artisan jobs. Against this backdrop, this study looks at women.

as a factor in mainstreaming girls into STM education.

1.2 Problem Description

Nigeria’s school system has made slow but steady progress in integrating more female students into science and technology programs. This is demonstrated by the high proportion of female applicants to colleges and universities that specialize in this field each year. Women who work in traditionally male-dominated fields, on the other hand, are frequently stigmatized by society. This is a direct result of society’s emphasis on gender roles in relation to occupational opportunities. The researcher also observes that fewer women work in science and technology-related artisan jobs in this part of the world. when compared to other developed countries. Because the researcher believes that a similar trend is occurring among girls educated in science and mathematics, he decided to investigate whether or not there is a link between the patterns. A number of studies have been conducted on the topic of women’s participation in science and technology; however, little attention has been paid to the integration of mathematics education, scientific education, and technology education for females. As a result, the researcher determined that it would be appropriate to examine society’s current attitude toward women working in scientific and technological jobs as a factor in mainstreaming females into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Specific development plans for the country Efforts to improve women’s science and technology education, as well as equity in employment participation, have largely failed to produce the desired results. Unhealthy state-controlled developmentalism has undoubtedly contributed to the weakening of autonomous feminist initiatives aimed at women’s liberation in our culture. This is due to the way our society views development (Tsikata, 2017). There is a gender gap in scientific and technological fields around the world in terms of enrollments, achievements, and employment (Azuogu, 2018 and Nepa, 2018). Despite the fact that women have done well in scientific fields, a significant number of women do not choose to pursue careers in science or technology. Despite the fact that women are aware of the situation

Despite the contributions that science and technology have made to the overall growth of the country, women do not participate in research and technology-based jobs in the same way that men do. As a result, the current study sought to investigate the role of women in science and technology-based industries in mainstreaming girls into STM education.

1.3 The Study’s Objective

The overall goal of this research is to look into women in science and technology-based industries as a factor in mainstreaming girls into STM education. To accomplish this, the researcher intends to:

i. To investigate the attitudes of women working in science and technology.

ii. Determine whether women’s educational levels influence their interest in science and technology.

The technological industry.

iii. To investigate how gender influences society’s attitude toward women in the science and technology industries.

iv. Determine whether women’s income influences their interest in science and technology.

1.4 Research Concerns

The following research questions were posed in order to achieve the study’s objectives.

i. Do women have a positive attitude toward jobs in science and technology?

ii. Does education level influence women’s interest in science and technology?

iii. To what extent does gender influence society’s attitude toward women in science and technology?

iv. Does the level of income influence women’s interest in science and technology?

1.5 Importance of the Research

Teachers will benefit from the study because they will be exposed to relevant information.

Methods for teaching language to children in school, particularly in the nursery and primary school systems.

Parents will benefit from the study because they will have a better understanding of the importance of teaching their child to master the language of his or her environment. This study will teach them that they should be the first people to impart knowledge to children, particularly regarding language development.

The study will be important to the academic community because it will add to the existing literature.

1.6 The Study’s Scope

This research will look into the attitudes of women working in science and technology. The study will also look into how women’s educational levels affect them.

towards science and technology industry. The study will look into how gender influences society’s attitudes toward women in the science and technology industries. Finally, the study will look into whether women’s attitudes toward science and technology are influenced by their parents’ income levels. As a result, the study is restricted to the University of Ilorin in Kwara State.

1.7 The study’s limitations

The researchers encountered minor constraints while conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. Inadequate funds tend to impede the researcher’s efficiency in sourcing relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher chose a moderate sample size. Furthermore, the researcher will be involved in this at the same time.

Study in addition to other academic work. As a result, the time spent researching will be reduced.

1.8 Definitions of terms

Science and technology: an interdisciplinary field that investigates the conditions that lead to the creation, dissemination, and application of scientific knowledge and technological systems.