Study of Gender Dimensions in Hotel Employment in Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria

This study examines gender dimensions in hotel employment in Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria, focusing on the distribution of roles, promotional opportunities, and workplace experiences of male and female hotel employees. The hospitality sector is characterised globally by gendered occupational structures, and understanding these dynamics in the Nigerian context is important for developing equitable labour policies. A descriptive survey design is adopted with questionnaires administered to 180 hotel employees across 15 hotels in Uyo, the state capital. Variables assessed include gender distribution across departments, access to managerial positions, experiences of discrimination, and workplace policy provisions for gender equity. Findings reveal significant gender imbalance in managerial positions, with females constituting only 21 percent of department heads across sampled hotels. Female employees are disproportionately concentrated in housekeeping and food service roles, while males dominate front office management, security, and general management. A majority of female respondents report limited mentorship opportunities and cite workplace sexual harassment as a concern. The study recommends that hotel operators in Akwa Ibom adopt formal gender equity policies, establish mentorship structures for female staff advancement, and partner with the state Ministry of Women Affairs to develop workplace harassment reporting systems. Industry-wide benchmarks for gender balance in hotel leadership are also proposed. Keywords: gender equity, hotel employment, female workers, Akwa Ibom, workplace diversity