Women are labourers, men are foremen: understanding gender roles at the informal building construction sites in Ibadan

Abstract

In developing countries, construction provides much work opportunities for some poorest and most marginalised sections of society. Women account for almost half of the total construction labour force yet they perform only menial job at sites. This article gave an understanding into gender roles at sites. Anchored on the theory of patriarchy, the article adopted survey research design. Purely qualitative technique was adopted. Findings revealed that gender based roles persist at sites. Belief that certain roles are appropriate for men and women exists. Workers are restricted to roles that suite their physiological make up. Despite women experiences, they continue to be represented as casual labourers while men perform distinctive roles of bricklaying and foreman. Bricklayers determine roles performed at sites. Factors that inform roles performed are: workers skills, women lack of required strength and capacity, and; job role preference. Women are formidable productive force whose roles in development is considerable.

Keywords: Gender roles, Informal sector, Construction sites, Ibadan