INSIGHTS INTO AN ENTRENCHED VALUE ELEMENT AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION IN RURAL YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

The purpose of this paper is to provide a qualitative explanation of research results on the socio-economic effects of street hawking on girl-child education in Yobe State, Nigeria. The paper provided additional information, understanding, and policy suggestions which will serve as a source of literature and document in formulating inclusive policies on the girl-child. The research methodology and design involved qualitative approach using case study that specifically explored the socio-economic effects of girl-child’s street hawking experiences. The study sites included three Local Government Areas of Yobe State. Purposive sampling strategy was used to select thirteen (13) sets of informants. A total of three (3) street hawking girls between the ages of eight (8) to fourteen (14) years and three (3) female parents featured as informants. Three (3) traditional rulers in each of the LGAs served as the gate-keepers and one (1) government official as minor participant. Snowball samples of three (3) male parents who have daughters involved in street hawking in each of the selected Local Government Areas were used for data credibility. Data collection technique involved interviews, focus group, participant observations, using semi-structured open-ended questions as well as the use of available documents. Video and audio recording of the girls at home, at streets, at the market square and major intersections was conducted. Ethical issues of consent and confidentiality were addressed by obtaining both written and oral consent of informants using their native language (Hausa) for clarity and understanding of their roles. Data analysis of interviews involved transcriptions, coding, and the repeated readings of the transcripts that identified major themes. Observational data were also converted to field notes, coded, and analysed for patterns of ideas that support major themes of the analysed interview data for validity. Major findings are presented as themes on major issues as exposure to all forms of abuse, inadequate safety and being left behind in basic literacy. This paper is of significant value due to its novelty because it explores how Amartya Sen’s capability approach can be applied to conceptualize and assess gender inequality in a developing country like Nigeria, as there has not being a detailed or comprehensive research on the socio-economic effects of street hawking in Yobe State, Nigeria.