Non-professionals in the building and construction industry: Focus on Abakaliki women

Abstract

Gender roles in Nigeria and Africa in general are largely strict, normative, and rigid. This is because certain occupations are seen as taboo  or culturally sensitive, especially for women to be employed in. This is more obtainable in the informal sector of the economy,  where there is no strong government supervision and control as well as professional bodies that regulates labour migration into such  areas. This study focuses on the role of non-professional women in the building industry. It used primary and secondary data that were  collected through purposive sampling to argue that Abakaliki women have become major actors in the building industry, where they  work as masons and servers; supplying most the necessary but primary manpower needed for construction of buildings in an expert  manner. The implication is that the money they make from such work are used to support domestic needs and build the societal  economy. The study recommends government and civil society scholarship training to the younger ladies in that sector, while the older  women should be given free and regular health checkups.