Abstract

This study examined time usage pattern over a 24-hour period among rural dweller' in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study specifically assessed the socio-economic characteristics, average daily time allocation to work and pattern of unpaid care work of the rural dwellers. Data were obtained through an interview schedule from 240 rural dwellers collected through a three-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected on socioeconomic characteristics and average daily time allocation. The data were analysed using frequency counts, means, and multiple regression model. Findings from the study revealed that 54.4% of rural women and 67.5% of rural men were between age group 31-50 years. 20.0% of women spent an average of 4.9 hours on productive work when compare to 34.7% of men spending an average of 8.4 hours. 25.6% of women spent approximately 6.2 hours daily on reproductive work, which is higher than that of the 5% of men spending 1.1 hour per day. Cooking and domestic chores accounted for 88.0% of daily total time allocated for unpaid care work. Rural women's age at first marriage (''=7.08), education (''=4.11), income (''=1.32), value of assets brought into marriage (''=2.83), number of dependants (''=1.11), presence of co-wives (''=0.65), access to improved water sources (''=0.46), employment status (''=1.04) and decision making power (''=0.32) were the significant factors influencing their average daily time devoted to unpaid care work. It is concluded that an unevenly distributed burden of work exits, particularly unpaid care work with the women's' playing dominant roles in comparison to their male counterparts. Hence, policy issues aimed at reducing the labour burden of women's unpaid care, should focus more on improving rural livelihood strategies that are gender responsive.

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