Women in Ghana, particularly in the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions, continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, a recent research under the United for Care-Sensitive Approaches to Rights and Empowerment (UCARE) project has revealed.
The study, which combines quantitative data from the Ghana Statistical Service and qualitative findings from communities, local government authorities and civil society organisations, highlights how deeply entrenched gender norms, inadequate infrastructure and socio-economic challenges continue to place unpaid household responsibilities largely on women.
According to the findings, women spend an average of 147 minutes a day on unpaid care work, compared to 49 minutes for men in the national space. In the Northern, North East and Savannah regions, the disparity is even more pronounced, with women spending an average of 212 minutes daily compared to 50 minutes for men.
The report found that women in the northern regions spend more than four times the amount of time men devote to activities such as childcare, cooking, washing clothes, collecting firewood and other domestic responsibilities.
Among the three regions studied, the Savannah Region recorded the widest gender gap. Women there spend 167 minutes daily on unpaid care work. Compared to just 32 minutes for men, this means women undertake more than five times the amount of care work.
In the Northern Region, women spend 216 minutes daily compared to 48 minutes for men, while in the North East Region women spend 246 minutes daily against 71 minutes for men.
Researchers noted that women consistently perform more unpaid care work than men across all age groups, educational levels and employment categories. The gap is particularly significant among adults aged between 19 and 49 years, the age group most actively engaged in both economic activities and family care responsibilities.
The study found that marriage substantially increases the amount of unpaid care work performed by women while reducing the burden on men. On the national front, married women spend 4.4 times as much time on unpaid care work asmarried men. In northern Ghana, married women spend 5.3 times as much time as their male counterparts. Similarly, the presence of children under six years significantly increases women’s care responsibilities. In households with young children, women in northern Ghana spend 5.4 times more time on unpaid care work than men. Researchers warn that these patterns contribute to “time poverty” among women, limiting opportunities for paid employment, education, leadership participation and economic advancement.
The qualitative assessment points to several factors behind the persistent gender imbalance. These include social expectations that unpaid care work is inherently a woman’s responsibility, fear of social ridicule for men who engage in domestic chores, early marriage, patriarchal family systems, large household sizes and limited access to essential public infrastructure. Participants also highlighted inadequate water systems, insufficient early childhood education centres and poor transport infrastructure as factors that increase the time women spend on household tasks. The report notes that many communities still perceive domestic care work as women’s work, while men are largely viewed as breadwinners.
Researchers argue that the unequal distribution of unpaid care work has far-reaching consequences beyond households. The study also found that adolescent girls often begin assuming significant care responsibilities early in life, contributing to poor academic performance and school dropout risks.
Despite the challenges, the report highlights encouraging changes in some communities participating in UCARE interventions. Community members increasingly view care work as a shared family responsibility rather than assistance provided to women. Adolescent boys are beginning to regard domestic skills as useful life skills rather than gender-specific tasks. Women reported greater participation in household decision-making, increased confidence in public meetings and improved wellbeing due to a more equitable sharing of responsibilities. Speaking at a dissemination workshop on the analysis on the analysis of time use data on unpaid care work, Lydia Dogee, a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist, UCARE, revealed that some households are also adopting time-saving solutions, including the use of bicycles, tricycles and motorbikes for collecting water and firewood; however, it tends to be mostly in use by men.
“There must be stronger advocacy campaigns aimed at changing social norms around gender roles, promoting positive masculinity and encouraging greater participation of men in unpaid care work,” she highlighted as part of recommendations in her presentation.
As a partner of the UCARE project, Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana, NETRIGHT, convening the dissemination for civil service organisations, government agencies, academia and gender advocacy groups, challenged thought patterns regarding gender-stereotyped roles. Patricia Blankson Akakpo, Executive Director for NETRIGHT, in her welcome address, noted that the findings deepen understanding, bringing attention to the matter. Project Director, UCARE at Alinea International, Ellyn Floyd added that the findings could be used as a demonstration for other areas and begin a dialogue for policymakers.
Other recommendations include integrating unpaid care work considerations into district development planning and expanding economic empowerment opportunities for women.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Ekow Boakye
