1. Public Perception Towards Women Representation in Solid Waste Management: Obstacles Towards Effective Solid Waste Management Practices

Main Article Content

Lawal S.O.
Sawyer H. O.
Oladeji F. O.

Abstract

Background: Globally, 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid wastes are generated annually, and at least a third of these are not managed environmentally safely. Nigeria, with a population exceeding 180 million, ranks among the leading producers of solid waste in Africa. Globally, women are predominantly involved in waste handling at the household level, but face marginalisation and reduced participation as the sector becomes more formalised. Objectives: This study investigated public perceptions of women's representation in solid waste management (SWM) and its impact on effective and sustainable waste management practices. Methodology: The study utilised a descriptive cross-sectional survey design conducted across three metropolitan cities: Osogbo, Ilorin, and Ibadan, selected for their urbanisation levels and diverse demographics. Data collection methods involved stakeholder consultations, field surveys, and a context-specific questionnaire administered to 122 respondents. The analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics conducted using the SPSS version. Descriptive statistics were utilised to summarise age, gender, awareness level, knowledge scores, and attitudes. Inferential statistics, including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Chi-square test, or Pearson correlation, were applied to test the relationships and differences between variables Results: Results indicated that societal norms significantly influence occupational roles in SWM, with men predominantly occupying waste collection roles (53.3%), while women face underrepresentation, particularly in managerial positions (9.83%). Public perception favours women’s participation, viewing their roles as effective and associated with positive attitudes. However, cultural norms, lack of training, and stigmatisation emerged as significant barriers to women’s managerial advancement. The ANOVA results confirmed significant (p < 0.05) differences in these barriers across occupations. Conclusion/ Recommendations: This study highlighted the critical role of gender integration in achieving effective waste management and significantly contributed to the global conversation on sustainable development. This study also observed that addressing cultural norms and promoting equitable representation can foster sustainable practices and improve SWM efficiency. Policy recommendations included gender-sensitive strategies such as increased training for women, awareness campaigns, and supportive work environments to enhance inclusivity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section
Articles