This study investigated the principals' suspension threat as a correlate of students' academic engagement and adherence to school regulations in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using gender and age as predictor variables. Four research questions were raised. Ex-post facto research design was adopted. The population comprised 5200 senior secondary two students in the 14 public secondary schools in Uyo, from which a sample of 725 was derived using a multistage sampling approach. The researcher's developed 'Suspension and Students Engagement and Adherence Scale (S-SEAS), was used for data collection after face-validated by three experts. The content assessment reliability approach was used to test for S-SEAS reliability, and the data generated was calculated using Cohen's Kappa statistics, which resulted in the estimate of 0.87. The collated data was analyzed using percentages, charts, means, and graphs. Results revealed that males were the majority (58.1%) in the study, while in terms of age, those within 16 years of age were the majority (69.1%). The majority of the sample assessed were suspended, especially in the cadre of males and those within 17-20 years of age. The categories of suspension were mostly from the classes, followed by those suspended from the school. Majorly, the reasons for the suspension were lateness to school, insubordination, and violence-related issues in order of prominence. Results showed that the contribution of suspension to the students' academic engagement (SAE) was low (x̄=2.23). The extent to which suspension encourages male students' academic engagement was very low. It has been shown that the prevalence of utilization of suspension as a disciplinary approach in schools was high. The most often suspended set of students were the males, and those within 17-20 years of age experienced a greater number of suspensions. However, the effect of suspension was negative to the promotion of students' academic engagement but positive to students' adherence to school regulations. On the aspect of students' academic engagement, suspension affected the male more negatively than their female counterparts, and especially among the students aged 21 years and above. Concerning students' adherence to school regulations, suspension negatively influences older students (21 years and above). It is recommended, among others, that school managers (principals and teachers) should be strategic in understanding when, who, and how suspension should be administered to avoid its negative contributions in severing students' interest and student-staff relationships. Read more

This article investigated the image of gender identity in the circumcision songs of the Tiriki community living in Western Kenya. The objective of this study was: to determine the cultural context of the Tiriki community in the selected songs. The study seeks to bridge the academic gap that shows that gender identity in circumcision songs within the Tiriki community has not been fully researched. Gender identity is a topic that is very broad for research, but for this study, the researcher focused on highlighting the issue of gender image that appears in selected circumcision songs of the Tiriki community. The researcher purposefully focused on eight circumcision songs among the Tiriki community of Vihiga County, Hamisi sub-county, to investigate and classify how these songs represent gender identity. The research was guided by the theory of gender and performance by Judith Butler (2004) and the theory of communication, tradition and language ideology of Roy Rappaport (1999). The research was field based, though it benefitted a lot from internet library to get relevant data concerning this research topic. The researcher selected ten circumcised boys, ten elderly men, ten elderly women, five circumcisers, and five community-based groups as respondents of the research. Data collection was of context analysis by analyzing the songs and various works on the issue of gender identity. Targeted group was circumcised boys, selected elders and Tiriki old women. Data collection was of context analysis by analyzing the songs and various works on the issue of gender identity. Data was collected using a questionnaire and recorded in both hard and soft copies. Data was analyzed descriptively and results presented in written documents. Eight selected circumcision songs were examined and analyzed on how they bring the image of gender identity in the Tiriki community. The research provided an important source of reference to scholars on this topic of gender identity, and will brought a different view of gender identity through the Tiriki circumcision songs. The research is a bridge to future researchers on this topic of gender identity. Read more

Although gender equality is often viewed because of development in many countries, it is also a fundamental driver of sustainable and inclusive development in Cameroon. To explore this relationship, this paper examines the extent to which gender equality contributes to human capital formation, economic participation, land and financial inclusion, political representation, public accountability, and poverty reduction. Using a qualitative approach, the study adopts a systematic integrative desk review of national statistical data, international development databases, policy documents, and peer-reviewed literature. Rather than estimating causal effects, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how gender inequality affects sustainable development in Cameroon and to propose relevant policy recommendations. The findings show that gender inequalities persist across multiple domains, including education, labour markets, land governance, political participation, violence against women and girls, and humanitarian settings. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of considering intersectionality and regional disparities. Factors such as rural residence, conflict, displacement, linguistic marginalization, disability, and poverty often intensify the vulnerabilities and discrimination experienced by women and girls. Ultimately, the study argues that gender equality should be recognized as a form of development infrastructure that is essential for Cameroon’s sustainable development. Read more

Women now make up around half of university enrolments worldwide in most regions, yet they remain a small minority in senior academic posts and leadership. This review asks what governments and universities did about that between 2010 and 2025, and what the evidence shows worked. It uses a systematised review design with narrative and integrative synthesis, and analyses 21 documents: one systematic review that itself screened 37 primary studies, 12 primary empirical studies, and 8 institutional, national, or supranational policy documents drawn from Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and targeted institutional and grey-literature sources. The evidence covers Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and North America. It is grouped by four policy instruments: statutory and quasi-statutory gender quotas, charter schemes such as Athena SWAN, incentive-linked funding, and mentorship and sponsorship programmes. Quotas and funding incentives shift the numbers most. In European systems operating quotas, women's representation on academic boards runs substantially above that in systems without them. The effect is strongest where research-funding eligibility is at stake. European systems with quotas show women's representation on academic boards running some 23 percentage points above systems without them. The Representation gains do not, however, automatically translate into structural or cultural change. Charter schemes prompt useful internal reflection and gradual improvement in the leadership pipeline, yet they struggle with entrenched pay and power gaps unless wider society shifts too. Sub-Saharan Africa presents a different problem: formal gender policies are multiplying while enforcement stays thin, so progress in access rarely reaches the leadership tier. No single instrument is sufficient. Reform works when binding rules, real financial stakes, and sustained cultural effort are layered together and matched to local implementation capacity. The review closes with a research and policy agenda for the period beyond 2025. Read more

This study examined gender equity and succession in family business leadership in selected family-owned businesses in Agbani, Enugu. The specific objectives were to evaluate the influence of gender-inclusive succession policy on the female leadership succession, assess the effect of access to leadership development and mentorship on the smoothness of succession transition, and examine the influence of cultural and family gender norms on post-succession business sustainability. The study used a survey research approach using a standardized five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The population comprised 120 key individuals drawn from selected family businesses in Agbani, including founders, successors, and senior family members involved in succession decisions. Using Taro Yamane’s (1967) formula at a 5% margin of error, a sample size of 92 respondents was determined. Data were analyzed using Simple Linear Regression analysis. Findings revealed that gender-inclusive succession policy does not have a significant effect on female leadership succession. However, access to leadership development and mentorship has a beneficial and significant effect on succession smoothness, while cultural and family gender norms significantly influence post-succession business sustainability. The study concludes that although female succession remains restricted, mentorship and progressive norms enhance sustainable leadership transition. The study recommends that family businesses should develop and implement formal gender-inclusive succession policies that emphasize competence rather than gender preference. Read more

This study investigates QoL and gender-difference among patients with LLD attending psychogeriatric clinic in Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Southwest, Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 98 participants were selected. Data were collected using World Health Organization quality of life scale (WHOQOLs)-brief and Satisfaction With Life scale (SWLs). The findings reveal that 83.7% were 70 years and above,87.5% males 65.5% females had ‘moderate’ satisfaction on physical health, also 82.5% male and 75.9% female psychological health,80.0% of male and 75.9% female ‘a little’ satisfaction on socio-economic, 62.5% male and 60.3% female ‘neutral’ to environmental health, 47.5% male and 46.6% female ‘slightly agreed’ on satisfaction with life. Gender of patients had a significant impact on their physical health satisfaction levels (χ2= 8.78, p < 0.05), but no significant effect with other domains. The study concludes that there is need for public health sensitization on gender-ageing and disease condition especially LLD. Read more

The study investigated the effect of Student Teams- Achievement Division (STAD) instructional strategy on learners’ achievement in Accounting with respect to gender in secondary schools in Kajiado County, Kenya. A quasi-experimental research design based on Solomon four-group model was employed. A sample of 211 form three learners from four gender- mixed public secondary schools, alongside six teachers of Business Studies, participated in the study. An objective to determine whether there was a significant difference in achievement between male and female learners taught using the STAD strategy guided the study. The research was anchored in social interdependence theory and Lev Vygotsky's Constructivist theory. Learners were assigned to two experimental groups and two control groups using stratified and random sampling. The experimental groups were taught using STAD strategy, while the control groups received conventional instruction. A pilot study involving 46 students and two teachers of Business Studies was conducted to refine the instruments in a non- participating school. Data were collected using validated Accounting Achievement Tests administered before and after the intervention to students and interview schedule for teachers of Business Studies. Reliability was established using KR-20 coefficients (0.72 and 0.74) for achievement tests. The test scores were standardized into T-scores and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests, one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant main effect of instructional strategy, with learners exposed to STAD outperforming those taught using conventional methods. However, no statistically significant gender differences were found in learners’ achievement under the STAD strategy, t(101) = 0.147, p > 0.05. Similarly, the interaction effect between gender and instructional group was not significant, F(1, 207) = 2.28, p > 0.05, indicating that the strategy benefited both male and female learners equally. The study concluded that STAD is an effective and gender-neutral instructional strategy for enhancing achievement in Accounting. It is therefore recommended that teachers adopt cooperative learning strategies such as STAD to heighten academic performance across genders while promoting equity in classroom learning outcomes. Read more

The study investigates gender variations in care supports received by senior citizens in Ondo state, Nigeria. Data was collected from sampled family care-givers (20-59 years) with senior citizens (50-99 years), who received care supports in Ondo state, Nigeria. A total sample size of 61 family care-givers participated in online questionnaire interviews at Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo state. Frequency tables, cross-tabulation and binary logistics regression were used to analyze the data collected through online questionnaires. The results derived from the study are as follows: The different care supports received by male and female senior citizens include: financial; financial and medical; financial and multiple cares; medical care; multiple cares; physical care; physical and financial; physical, financial and medical cares; and physical, financial, medical and multiple cares. Obviously, the dominant care supports received by male and female senior citizens in the study are: financial (39.3%) and physical (32.8%). Furthermore, financial (p=0.000), medical (p=0.000), multiple (p=0.000) and physical (p=0.000) are significant care supports received by male and female senior citizens in the study. The study recommends that: medical and multiple cares must urgently become prioritized care supports to be packaged for male and female senior citizens in Ondo state and entire Nigerian societies. Read more

Purpose This paper analyzes how AI-driven gig platforms affect women’s economic empowerment. It uses a feminist political economy framework to move beyond a simple empowerment-versus-exploitation debate and examine the structural forces at play. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review and thematic synthesis of 48 peer-reviewed studies (2010–2024) were conducted to analyze the gendered dynamics of AI-mediated digital labor. Findings The synthesis reveals a central paradox: while AI-enabled platforms can expand income opportunities and flexibility, they also reproduce and risk amplifying gender inequality through algorithmic bias, wage gaps, structural precarity, and digital marginalization. Research limitations/implications The review highlights the need for future research to adopt a more intersectional approach, exploring how race, class, and geography interact with gender to shape platform work experiences. Practical implications The findings call for gender-responsive platform governance, including algorithmic transparency, inclusive system design, and the extension of core labor protections to gig workers to foster more equitable outcomes. Social implications Without intentional, gender-aware interventions in policy and design, the AI-driven gig economy is more likely to entrench existing social and economic inequalities than to alleviate them. Originality/value This paper provides a consolidated, theory-driven synthesis of the mechanisms through which AI-mediated platforms simultaneously create opportunities and reproduce disadvantage for women, offering actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and platform designers. Read more

Girls’ participation in school life is shaped not only by academic opportunity but also by whether schools respond adequately to menstrual hygiene needs, dignity, and safe participation in physical activity. This narrative literature review examined how school leadership can support menstrual hygiene and girls’ participation in physical activity and identified gender-sensitive strategies for improving school health in Ghanaian basic schools. Relevant peer reviewed studies published mainly between 2021 and 2026 were identified through database searching, screened for relevance, and synthesised thematically. The review found that effective support depends on leadership practices such as privacy-sensitive school routines, access to menstrual materials and WASH facilities, teacher support, stigma reduction, and flexible participation structures for girls during menstruation. The literature also shows that menstruation can reduce girls’ confidence, attendance, and willingness to engage in physical activity when schools are poorly prepared or when social norms remain unsupportive. In Ghana, evidence points to inadequate school preparedness for menstrual hygiene management and continuing barriers to girls’ full participation in school life. The review contributes to school health scholarship by integrating menstrual hygiene, physical activity participation, and gender-sensitive school leadership within one framework and argues that strategic leadership is essential for dignified and inclusive school health. Read more