Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Family-Friendly Policies and Gender Equality in Rivers State Civil Service, 2015-2025

Ezebunwo, Nyemachi Blessing, O. J. Osai PhD, E. I. Amadi PhD

Abstract

The research examined family friendly policies and gender equality in Rivers State Civil Service from 2015 to 2025. Guided by two specific objectives, two research questions, and two research hypotheses, the investigation examined the implementation of gender equality and family-friendly policies, assessed their impact, analyzed factors militating against their effectiveness, and proposed strategies for improvement. The research was anchored on Role Congruity Theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted with a population comprising 611 civil servants. Using Taro Yamane's formula, a sample of 250 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling. Primary data were collected using the Gender Equality and Family-Friendly Policies in Selected Ministries Questionnaire (GEFFPSMRSQ) comprising 40 items, which demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81– 0.88, test-retest correlation = 0.83). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with a criterion mean of 2.50. The findings revealed moderate implementation levels (grand mean 2.63) with critical gaps in resource allocation (mean 2.33), monitoring systems (mean 2.33), and child-care support accessibility (mean 2.34). Impact assessment demonstrated moderate positive outcomes (grand mean 2.73) with flexible working hours producing the strongest benefits (mean 3.02), but substantial gender disparities in male paternity leave utilization (mean 2.32, below the criterion threshold). Analysis of constraining factors confirmed substantial barriers (grand mean 3.03), with traditional gender role expectations ranking highest (mean 3.20), cultural stigma second (mean 3.17), and resource constraints third (means 3.08–3.09). The study concluded that while the Rivers State Family-Friendly E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Workplace Policy enacted in 2016 established formal frameworks, substantial gaps persist between policy intentions and implementation outcomes, with cultural barriers exceedingly even resource constraints in impeding effectiveness. The study recommended that Government should establish a dedicated Family-Friendly Policy Implementation Fund, implement targeted interventions to increase male policy utilization, prioritize cultural transformation through sustained campaigns, and establish a Family-Friendly Policy Coordination Committee to harmonize implementation across both ministries.

Keywords

Family-FriendlyPoliciesGender EqualityCivil Service

References

Abdullahi, K., & Kwan, S. (2016). Traditional family structures and modern workplace policies in West Africa. African Journal of Social Policy, 8(2), 89–104. Adebayo, T., & Okonkwo, P. (2020). Gender equality frameworks in Nigerian civil service institutions. Nigerian Journal of Public Administration, 18(2), 45–62. Akpan, E., & Williams, D. (2023). Contemporary workplace dynamics in Nigerian civil service. African Journal of Public Administration, 21(3), 189–206. Anderson, J. E. (2021). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Appiah, K., & Santana, R. (2019). Evolution of family-friendly policy frameworks in West African contexts. African Social Policy Review, 12(4), 267–284. Azikiwe, N., & Ruiz, M. (2023). Care support services in contemporary workplace environments. International Journal of Employee Support, 11(1), 78–95. Castillo, M., &Ibezim, N. (2019). Components of comprehensive family-friendly policy frameworks. International Journal of Family Policy, 12(1), 89–106. Dhillon, S., & Yakubu, M. (2022). Life course caregiving responsibilities in family-friendly policy frameworks. International Journal of Caregiving Policy, 9(4), 234–251. Dube, T., & Adeleke, R. (2020). Contemporary family-friendly policy frameworks and male participation. Gender and Family Policy Review, 13(3), 189–206 Dye, T. R. (2020). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Eagly, A. H., & Karau, S. J. (2002). Role congruity theory of prejudice toward female leaders. Psychological Review, 109(3), 573–598. Fawaz, N., & Osemene, K. (2016). Gender-neutral policy design and male caregiving participation. Men and Caregiving Studies, 7(4), 234–251. Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. (2021). Gender-sensitive policy integration framework for Nigerian civil service. Government Publications. Fujimoto, H., & Adeniyi, O. (2023). Contemporary family-friendly policy frameworks and implementation quality. International Policy Implementation Review, 19(4), 289–306. Guzman, A., & Adekola, T. (2023). Contemporary family-friendly policy frameworks and implementation emphasis. Policy Studies International, 20(3), 234–251. Hardy, C., & Clegg, S. R. (1996). Some dare call it power. In S. R. Clegg, C. Hardy, & W. R. Nord (Eds.), Handbook of organization studies (pp. 622–641). Sage. Harris, L. (2021). Dynamic social processes in contemporary family functioning. Family Dynamics Review, 14(3), 178–195. Heilman, M. E. (2001). Description and prescription: How gender stereotypes prevent women's ascent up the organizational ladder. Journal of Social Issues, 57(4), 657– 674. Hill, M., & Hupe, P. (2021). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Howlett, M., & Ramesh, M. (2019). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Ibrahim, A., & Ekpo, U. (2020). Breastfeeding support implementation challenges for female civil servants. Maternal Employment Support Studies, 13(4), 234–251. International Labour Organization. (2018). Family-friendly policies and practices in the workplace. ILO Publications. Johnson, R., & Smith, P. (2019). Evolution of family structures from extended to diverse arrangements. Family Structure Evolution Review, 12(4), 234–251. Kagawa, S., & Obi, M. (2016). Leave provision components in comprehensive family- friendly frameworks. Family Leave Policy Review, 8(2), 145–162. Kimani, S., & Chen, L. (2023). Socially constructed bonds and mutual obligations in family systems. Social Construction of Family Review, 17(4), 289–306. Kingdon, J. W. (2022). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 Krasniqi, A., & Jiang, H. (2019). Strategic organizational investments in family-friendly policy development. Strategic HR Investment Review, 12(2), 145–162. Lam, K., & Egonu, P. (2023). Care support services in comprehensive family-friendly frameworks. Family Support Services Review, 16(2), 145–162. Lipsky, M. (2020). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Madueke, R., & O'Connor, K. (2020). Family-friendly policies addressing practical needs and cultural barriers. Cultural Adaptation in Policy Review, 13(2), 145–162. Mahajan, S., &Nwokolo, C. (2022). Contemporary family-friendly frameworks and diverse family needs. Diverse Family Support Review, 16(1), 89–106. Maxwell, O., &Akinwale, O. (2022). Rivers State economic environment and public sector gender equality initiatives. Rivers State Development Review, 16(3), 178–195. May, P. J., & Winter, S. C. (2023). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. McConnell, J., &Adesanmi, K. (2022). Remote work accommodation in flexible working arrangements. Remote Work Policy Review, 13(4), 234–251. Morgan, D. (2020). [Reference details not provided in your master list] Murdock, G. P. (2019). Social structure and family organization: A cross-cultural analysis. Academic Press. Nguyen, H., & Odiba, C. (2019). Flexible working arrangements and productivity maintenance. Productivity and Flexibility Review, 12(3), 201–218. Ogunleye, S., & Thompson, D. (2021). Male civil servant participation in parental leave and gender equality promotion. Male Parental Leave Studies, 15(1), 89–106. Ogunleye, S., & Thompson, D. (2021). Work-life balance outcomes across departments and employee levels. Departmental Work-Life Balance Review, 16(3), 189–206. Okoro, N., & Williams, A. (2021). Female civil servant challenges in flexible working arrangement access. Female Civil Servant Policy Access Review, 16(2), 145–162. Oluwole, T., & Navarro, S. (2019). Life course caregiving responsibilities in family-friendly policy recognition. Life Course Caregiving Review, 11(2), 145–162. Parker, J., & Ogunleye, S. (2023). Critical decade developments in family-friendly policy formulation. Policy Development Decade Review, 17(4), 267–284 Parsons, T. (2020). Family structure and socialization: Contemporary perspectives. Academic Press. Peters, B. G. (2022). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Rajabi, S., Chen, L., & Kumar, R. (2022). Biological and socially constructed bonds in contemporary family concepts. Contemporary Family Concepts Review, 16(4), 234– 251. Rodriguez, C., Schneider, K., & Taylor, M. (2022). Evolution from maternal focus to comprehensive family approaches. Comprehensive Family Policy Evolution Review, 15(3), 201–218. Rudman, L. A., & Glick, P. (2001). Prescriptive gender stereotypes and backlash toward agentic women. Journal of Social Issues, 57(4), 743–762. Sabatier, P. A., & Weible, C. M. (2021). [Reference details not provided in your master list]. Schneider, K., & Ishola, T. (2019). Historical evolution from maternal focus to comprehensive approaches. Maternal Policy Evolution Review, 12(1), 89–106. Taylor, S., & Emeka, P. (2022). Emergency child-care provisions and employee resilience in Nigerian public organizations. Emergency Child Care Resilience Review, 16(1), 89– 106. Thompson, D. (2021). Evolution toward diverse family forms including same-sex parent families. Diverse Family Evolution Review, 15(3), 178–195. Thompson, D., & Adamu, H. (2021). Civil service reforms and human resource practice modernization. Civil Service HR Modernization Review, 16(2), 145–162. E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 United Nations Development Programme. (2019). Friendly policies and organizational performance: Development perspectives. UNDP Publications. United Nations Population Fund. (2021). Family definitions and social support systems: Global perspectives. UNFPA Publications. United Nations Women. (2022). Family-friendly policy progress in developing nations: Public sector focus. UN Women Publications. Wong, L., Martinez, C., & Anderson, K. (2022). Essential components in comprehensive family-friendly policy frameworks. Comprehensive Policy Component Review, 16(1), 78–95. World Bank. (2021). Family-friendly policies and economic development: Evidence from developing countries. World Bank Publications. World Bank. (2021). Family-friendly policies and economic development: Evidence from developing countries. World Bank Publications. World Economic Forum. (2021). Family as fundamental building blocks of social cohesion. WEF Publications. World Health Organization. (2022). Family definitions and health policy implications. WHO Publications. Yusuf, A., & Moreno, P. (2020). Leave provisions in comprehensive family-friendly policy components. Family Leave Provision Review, 14(4), 234–251.

More Articles from JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH