Comparative Study on Academic Enrolment and Performance of Female Gender in Building Industry

Gender is a set of traits that classify organism as female or male with reference to their
reproductive function. Women are significantly under-represented in Nigeria Building Industry
and the female genders faced barriers that deter them from engaging in Building practice, the
current social stereotyping, family requirements, abuse, lack of supports, among others, seem to
be on the increase. This study set out to explore the academic enrolment and performance of
female students in selected departments in built environment, with a view to providing
information that could encourage increased participation and improved outcomes in the
Building Industry. The method adopted for this study involves the collection of academic
enrolment and performance data of male and female students from the selected departments in
built environment. The study shows that gender disparities in technical education (particularly
in-built environment) remain both significant and persistent. The percentage of the academic
enrolment of male to female students in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Architectural
Technology, Building Technology (88.12% - 11.88%; 75.75% - 24.25%; 83.94% - 16.06%;
72.88% - 27.12%). The percentage of the academic performance of male to female students in
Civil Engineering,Quantity Surveying, Architectural Technology, Building Technology (87.3% -
12.70%; 72.50% - 27.50%; 84.65% - 15.35%; 79.79% - 20.21%). Female students are not only
under-enrolled but also underperform compared to male students. The study recommends that
efforts should be made to promote STEM fields to female students at the pre-institution level.
Initiatives such as school outreach programs, STEM camps, and partnerships with organizations
that support women in science and technology can help to break down stereotypes and
encourage more young women to pursue these fields.