2.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The issue of gender, especially with the rise of “perceived inequality” and its effect on the developmental process of Africa and Nigeria in particular, taking cognizance of the relationships that hitherto existed in pre-colonial Africa, can be said to have emerged from a perceived lack of recognition of the roles played by a set of gender which of course is the female folk. A critical look at the rise of feminism can be deduced that the outcry affected the female folk’s hidden desire to be honored and ‘accepted” for what and who they are [[13]]. According to a study carried out by Ojalammi [[1]], 70 percent of agricultural labor is constituted by women, and women also produce 90 percent of all food. More women in Nigeria work in rural areas and the informal and agricultural sectors, contributing 80 and 70 percent, yet they have not been recognized appropriately [[5], [17]]. Also, it has been observed that the economic rate of women in Nigeria ranks highest globally, with a value of 61.9 percent. Nevertheless, they occupy the informal or low-skill sector of the economy with little or no acknowledgment of efforts. Premise on the above, this study is adopting one of the critical theories of today in the work of Axel Honneth

2.4.1 THEORY OF RECOGNITION
Axel Honneth, a leading critical theorist, emphasized understanding identity claims made by persons and social groups. Building on the necessary theory, he intends to address the violence perpetrated against those demands for recognition and the pathologies and injuries that arise from the petitioners. According to Honneth (1900/1995), people’s involvement in political resistance is due to their violent experience to spontaneously assumed conception of justice and not because of certain abstract moral ideals, which means that people feel the need for recognition. When it is not forthcoming, they feel deprived and marginalized. Hence, they need to resist the institution that is depriving them of their rights. Moreover, “it is essentially violence to an individual or collective claims to social recognition within the lifeworld which will be experienced as moral injustice” (Honneth, 1990/1995: xv).

According to Honneth, social conflict and social action can develop due to individuals’ and groups’ lack of recognition. Individuals and groups feel that it is their right to be recognized, and when the due honor is not being given to them, especially in a consistent manner, they feel that their right has been denied. Generally, there has often been a lack of recognition in contemporary society with different people with various needs. For example, some lack recognition for their work, especially women [[18]]. A decrease in many institutions like family, workplace, and government to create the necessary recognition deserved by the people breeds a lack of recognition among the people, From the above, it is evident that feminism and a call for gender equality arose due to women not getting the respect they deserve and not being recognized for their family or home roles. Every role is essential in the system and must be recognized because a shortage will retard society’s smooth running. A stay-at-home mother, for instance, who ensures orderliness and smooth running of the home in her way may not necessarily be paid like the man who goes outdoor and also works and gets paid, but it is expedient that their roles are recognized and upheld with equal values as those of their male counterpart.

Women are not just by social construct but also by nature, excellent as home keepers and family managers. Although they could be gifted to function in the workplace as in the economy and others also in governance, the fact remains that they are primarily created to build and manage homes and perform a very significant socialization role in the family. However, this role seems to be a dormant, back staged, and insignificant role that may never be recognized. Nevertheless, if there must be a smooth process of development in any society according to Honneth’s idea, there must be a clear and repeated recognition of the function being played by both gender, but especially the females, in this case, being that theirs seem to be in obscurity-hidden from general eyes. This is why this paper much applaud the promotion of gender equality by several movements and initiatives working towards equal opportunity for both genders, especially in the formal settings like in the academy, employment, and access to opportunities; however, it should not be at the detriment of the family being the bedrock of the society.

More specifically, and from Hegel’s work, three forms of recognition are required by people. These are love, respect, and esteem [[10]]. These kinds of recognition are inter-subjectively attained and preserved (Mead’s point of view). To relate with each other in these ways (and have self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem), individuals must obtain recognition from others. People can only realize complete independence as human beings if only they receive adequate recognition.

This, therefore, means that for women to attain complete independence as human beings, for them to play their roles even in families, and for there to be true gender equality and smooth relationships and, in turn, massive developments, love, respect, and esteem must be accorded them. Whenever there is a seeming lack of dignity for what a person does, the chances are that a sense of oppression and inequality erupts. This could negatively affect attitude towards work within that institutional framework, thereby resulting in a stunted development.

Conflict resistance and continual seeking for gender equality will remain except for the normative system’s demand.

Honneth, according to [[19]], was criticized for making “recognition” look as though it is all that matters and placing much importance on recognition. However, it is evident that there is a silent craving for significance and recognition in all humans though it may not be all that matters; nevertheless, based on these criticisms, this paper merges the functionalist perspective with Honneth to make a further emphasis.

2.4.2 FUNCTIONALIST THEORY
Some of those who contribute to this theory include Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Talcott Parsons [[20]]. The functionalist perspective typifies human society as a biological organism with various parts that harmoniously for its smooth functioning. In another light, Herbert Spenser’s postulations’ functionalist perspective views society as a multifaceted structure with different elements that must work in harmony to ensure the entire system’s stability and survival. This approach examines society from a broader perspective and generally pays attention to the social systems that form the society. This idea posits that different gender roles are an effective way to establish a specialization in society. For example, a particular part of the populace is answerable for specific labor doings, and another section has the task for other work activities. Therefore, goals are achieved when each division contributes its quota. However, male domination in all social endeavors with little or no contribution of the female gender will undermine the former’s ability and reduce the chances for progress and development in most societies [[10]].

This means that asides from the fact that gender roles need to be recognized, society’s division of roles is intended to function for the complex whole.