Women Participation in Nigerian Trade Union Movement: A Strategic and Socio-Psychological Viewpoint

Abstract

The Trade Union Movement is an organization that champions the cause(s) of workers and also serves as a countervailing force against the awesome powers and the exploitative tendencies of the capitalist or employers within the employment relations. The organization has both male and female employees in its rank and file membership and cut across various occupational groups and industries. However, there is a general notion that women participation in Nigerian Trade Union Movement currently is at low ebb. This paper examines participation of women in trade unionism in Nigeria - the nature of the apparatus and mechanism of trade unionism, political environment or terrain, dual role played by women, patriarchy, marginalization through male domination, and religious constraints amongst others. The findings of this paper revealed that women participation in trade union movement is a healthy development and should be encouraged in all its ramifications but added that women should be allowed to hold administrative positions (secretaryship, treasureship, trusteeship and ex-officio). In a nutshell, women should be restricted from activities laced with militancy which is a very prevalent mode and operational tool in modern day trade unionism whether in the public or private sector.