Driving Gender Transformative Approaches for Africa: Strategies to Empower Women and Girls in the World of Work through VET

This study examines gender disparities affecting female library educators’ participation in TVET programmes in Nigerian universities. Using a descriptive survey across two institutions, it identifies multiple barriers including deep-rooted stereotypes, cultural and religious norms, gender-based discrimination, unequal resource access, and limited career guidance. The research finds that although TVET opportunities such as digital literacy, information management, cataloguing, and data curation exist and include women to a high extent, participation remains constrained by structural and socio-cultural challenges. The study proposes strategies such as gender-sensitive curricula, zero-tolerance harassment policies, mentorship, industry-linked internships, and equal-slot allocation to strengthen gender equality in TVET.