Untangling Custom, Faith, And Gender Inequities: The Transformative Power of Social Studies Education in Edo State, Nigeria

Gender inequality in Edo State remains deeply woven into the threads of custom and religious belief, shaping everyday realities from family structures to public leadership. While cultural identity and faith traditions provide belonging and meaning, they also sustain power hierarchies that limit women's and girls’ opportunities. This paper interrogates the intersection of custom, faith, and gender inequities in Edo State and positions Social Studies education as a transformative pathway for reshaping entrenched norms. Drawing on theories of social learning, African womanism, and cultural relativism, the study explores how socialisation patterns, ritual practices, and selective religious interpretations reproduce gendered power relations. It further argues that Social Studies—through its civic, reflective, and value-oriented curriculum—offers a strategic avenue for fostering critical consciousness, gender-sensitive attitudes, and equitable social behaviour among young people. The paper outlines practical classroom strategies, policy considerations, and community-based interventions essential for leveraging Social Studies as an engine of gender justice. Ultimately, it calls for a harmonisation of tradition and progressive values to create a more inclusive Edo State where cultural pride coexists with gender equality.