Gender Equality Education Variables Among Market Women and Sustainable Development in Uyo Zone of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between gender equality education among market women and sustainable development in Uyo Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Anchored on Feminist Theory, the study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The population comprised women aged 18 years and above with no tertiary education, trading in 12 community markets in Uyo Senatorial District. A sample of 203 respondents was drawn from 5 purposively selected markets using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using two researcher-developed instruments: Gender Equality Education Questionnaire (GEEQ, α =.76) and Sustainable Development Questionnaire (SDQ, α =.80) which were validated by 2 experts. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to answer research questions and test 3 null hypotheses at.05 level of significance. Results revealed significant but weak positive relationships between socio-cultural factors (r =.247), poor parental attitudes (r =.232), and economic policy (r =.361) with sustainable development. It was concluded that addressing socio-cultural barriers and improving access to education for women will enhance sustainable development in Uyo Zone. It was recommended that the embargo on gender equality education should be dismantled and advocacy programs intensified to achieve SDG 4 and 5 by 2030.