Empowering the Women’s Labor Force in Ghana
Empowering the Women’s Labor Force in Ghana
Since 1992, Ghana’s Constitution recognizes equal rights between men and women in all aspects of life. Even though Ghana’s Constitution works as a legal mechanism that guarantees women protection, the women’s reality is different. For example, the national literacy rate for men is 44.1% as opposed to 21.1% for women (WILDAF, FEDDAF, 2013). Receiving less education than men, when employed women don’t earn enough to be economically independent and support their families, they find themselves in vulnerable position in many areas of their lives. However, a possible solution is available, and has been shown to be viable in at least one other country where similar issues existed for women. The creation of a women-run industry to create fused glass jewelry could solve many economic problems for both individual women and Ghanaian society. Many are the barriers that Ghanaian women find in their lives. Not only is lack of education an issue but also other obstacles can be seen that violate their human rights. For instance, they cannot participate in the decisions that affect their lives: they can’t claim fair political representation (UNWOMEN, 2013), and the attitude of the society in general discourages them from speaking out. Women also face discrimination in employment, working mostly in informal sectors (World Bank, 1999), moreover women and girls are prevented from going to school or attaining health care (UNWOMEN, 2013).
In Ghana woman have the primary responsibility for child-rearing, cooking, washing, and collecting fuel-wood and water (World Bank, 1999). The child care and house responsibilities prevent Ghanaian woman from having time to go to school. In addition, the societal preference is to male, for instance when sick the male receives preference over others in a household for health care assistance (World Bank, 1999). Woman suffer violence at home, they are denied entitlement to land and property (UNWOMEN,
Since 1992, Ghana’s Constitution recognizes equal rights between men and women in all aspects of life. Even though Ghana’s Constitution works as a legal mechanism that guarantees women protection, the women’s reality is different. For example, the national literacy rate for men is 44.1% as opposed to 21.1% for women (WILDAF, FEDDAF, 2013). Receiving less education than men, when employed women don’t earn enough to be economically independent and support their families, they find themselves in vulnerable position in many areas of their lives. However, a possible solution is available, and has been shown to be viable in at least one other country where similar issues existed for women. The creation of a women-run industry to create fused glass jewelry could solve many economic problems for both individual women and Ghanaian society. Many are the barriers that Ghanaian women find in their lives. Not only is lack of education an issue but also other obstacles can be seen that violate their human rights. For instance, they cannot participate in the decisions that affect their lives: they can’t claim fair political representation (UNWOMEN, 2013), and the attitude of the society in general discourages them from speaking out. Women also face discrimination in employment, working mostly in informal sectors (World Bank, 1999), moreover women and girls are prevented from going to school or attaining health care (UNWOMEN, 2013).
In Ghana woman have the primary responsibility for child-rearing, cooking, washing, and collecting fuel-wood and water (World Bank, 1999). The child care and house responsibilities prevent Ghanaian woman from having time to go to school. In addition, the societal preference is to male, for instance when sick the male receives preference over others in a household for health care assistance (World Bank, 1999). Woman suffer violence at home, they are denied entitlement to land and property (UNWOMEN,
References: World Bank. (1999). Ghana- Women’s role in improved economic performance. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTFINDINGS/685507-1161268713892/21169037/find145.htm. Web. March 20 2013. Wikipedia. (March 2013). Manufacturing in Ghana. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_in_Ghana. Web. 15 May 2013. Projeto Emprega Brasil. (n.d.). Fabricacao de vidros – Emprega Brasil. Retrieved from http://www.empregabrasil.org.br/bh/como_abrir_fabricacao_de_vidros.htm Web. March 12 2013. Wildaf/FeDDAF. (2013) Woman in Law Development in Africa. Situation des femmes. Retrieved from http://www.wildaf-ao.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81&Itemid=63&lang=en Web. May 15 2013. UNWONEN. (2001). Fund for Gender Equality. Retrieved from http://www.unwomen.org/how-we-work/fund-for-gender-equality/ Web May 1 2013.