Gender Bias and Its Effect on the Gender Dynamics of Interior Design Education and Practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1018-5817Keywords:
Gender Bias, Interior Design, Gender Dynamics, Interior Design Education, Interior Design Practice, NigeriaAbstract
Studies have shown that where there is a gender balance, there are higher chances of gainful financial returns and economic growth in such sectors. Interior design as a budding profession in Nigeria, offers endless economic opportunities for growth and financial return. Yet, it faces a pervasive issue of gender bias, especially with how it affects the gender dynamics within the field of interior design education and practice, which severely limits the potential of this budding industry. This paper employs a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical data from real-world surveys to examine how gender bias manifests in educational and professional settings and the resulting impact on individuals within the field. The study aims to identify the factors which contribute to gender bias in the interior design educational and professional scenes in a bid to foster a more equitable and inclusive discipline. This study first examines gender bias, its forms and consequences then, the existing situation in the educational and professional scenes of the industry is investigated and analysed, and finally, a survey is carried out among Interior design students and practitioners from three selected interior design platforms located in Abuja Nigeria. The research employs a descriptive survey method. All results are graphically represented and modelled as pie and bar charts. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on Gender mainstreaming and Gender parity in the Nigerian Interior Design Industry.
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