The Dynamics of Women’s Autonomy in Household Decision-Making in Ghana, the Role of Religion

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2016-04-14

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Abstract

The present study explored the dynamics of women’s autonomy in household decision-making in Ghana, the role of religion. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore these dynamics among women and men who were in marital unions/living together. The data was collected between December 2014 and January 2015 in two purposively selected towns of Accra (southern Ghana) and Tamale (Northern Ghana), utilising the thematic analysis approach. The results showed no marked religious and regional differences in the dynamics of household decision-making. Religion reinforced the long-standing patriarchal norms of household decision-making. According to these norms and beliefs, men are heads of households and are supposed to lead and be in control of household decision-making. Men insist on maintaining the status quo in household decision-making and justify it using cultural and religious prescriptions. On the other hand, women as subordinates do not contest the power structures of household decision-making, suggesting that they need to be submissive and defer to their husbands in household decision-making as prescribed by culture and especially religion. Nevertheless, women played active roles in the household decision-making process. In some cases, women’s influence may be subtle but very efficient, which men acknowledged. Indeed, ‘men are the heads of households and expected to lead decision-making; however, women are the necks, and when the neck turns the head will follow’. The study showed the importance of cultural and especially religious ideals in the dynamics of household decision-making as well as the influence of women in household decision-making.

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Household, Decision-Making, Ghana, Religion

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