women in Nigeria’s agricultural sector found that men’s typical roles were viewed as being higher skilled and more valuable. Interviewees said that climbing trees (e.g., to harvest nuts) was believed to be the purview of men, while women were better at cleaning, which is related to their work in the home.

Similar gender norms defined roles in mining, where men were viewed as being better at jobs—such as breaking, hauling, and heaving rocks—that required physical strength (Lauwo 2016). Many gender norms, however, do not have any basis in biological gender differences. Several of the studies described a belief that men were better at technology:

Any technical equipment is always associated with masculinity. The two grinding machines that are owned by women are being operated by men even though women can operate them. It is a general view that the machines will last longer when men operate them because men’s usage of such machinery is deemed normal. 

Gender norms are important across sectors

We consistently found that gender norms play an important role in shaping women’s access to employment in male-dominated sectors. Social and religious factors can play a role in determining gender norms that have varied impacts across sectors. Koomson (2017) describes a gender norm among the Talensi in Ghana that restricts married women from working closely with men who are not their relatives. This norm makes it difficult for women to work in the mines but not in farming:

Mining pits are considered “hidden” and “secluded,” so they are not conducive environments for men and women to work together. Talensi men and women regularly work together in open farm fields, but not in areas that are out of the public view.