Women workers' rights in employment: the quest for equal opportunities

Abstract

This study set out to assess the women workers' rights in employment as a quest for equal opportunity. Specifically, the study looks at the ways Kenyan women in Nairobi are being discriminated in the labour market especially at the recruitment levels. More still, the paper analysed the way women at work place are being looked down upon, abused and misused by their employers (mostly male) simply because of their gender. The study used broadly Marxist approach and specifically Social feminism approaches to nuance the gender issues at employment sector for women. The study relied on both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was collected from both key informants and women respondents using questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from available literature on the subject of study. Primary data was processed and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Through this method, variables and frequencies were generated. The study found that inequality at work place was measured in terms of salary scales, as well as positioning in terms of job grades or group cadres. These were also said to be influenced by several factors: place of origin, work qualification, and educational attainments putting women at the periphery. The study also found that job intake and recruitment for women is not always fair. Most of the time, this depend on ones qualifications, being connected or known to those already in employment, as well as seeking and offering of favours which puts women literary compromising position . Social cultural issues were also found by this study to be a great impediment to women careers at employment. The study found that gender roles are not only spelled out by our cultures, but also look down upon women efforts to climb the employment ladder. Women therefore face surmounting problems in their endeavor to obtain job opportunities in our society as many reported biasness of different forms: that some jobs are unsuitable for women, gender biasness which favours men to get jobs before women, as well as workplace segregation and harassment to women. The study also found that rewards and promotion at workplace do not come easily. Rewards at work place range from work compensation, promotion as well as appreciation. Some women would complained that men prod against them being recognised and promoted because they see themselves as being discriminated against. Nonetheless, enhancing gender equality at the work place seems to be the right thing to protect women rights as majority 87% of the respondents in this survey think affirmative action is the way forward. This study therefore makes a number of recommendations. The study recommends for further research on why men are favored by society (and families in particular) compared to women in attaining the academic qualifications. The study further recommends more research in ways and means of coping mechanisms for the unemployed and employed women especially in the urban sectors. In terms of policy recommendations, the study suggests policies to address women rights in the employment sector. Policies of engendering equality, policies addressing all sorts of abuses and policies of guarding women rights would come in handy to address workplace discrimination.