Negotiating gender equality for women's empowerment

Ghana maintains strong constitutional advocacy for the equal rights of all its citizens, irrespective of gender or sociocultural orientation. Nonetheless, women in selected communities in Tamale, located in the Northern Region of Ghana, face various forms of discrimination that have proven to be strong barriers to their upward social mobility. This study builds on previous research studies, such as one conducted by UNICEF (2010), that suggest many young women in Africa engage in domestic work at the expense of their education. The scope of this paper includes an exploration of how women in the selected communities negotiate gender and educational equality and the resulting consequences on their personal lives. It also looks at how the women in this area navigate various challenges at home, in school, and in their communities, as well as the roles their parents and community leaders play in this journey. The purpose of this study is to learn from women's experiences and identify mechanisms that may be used to address impediments to gender equality at the intersection of women's education, empowerment, and economic development. Through focus-group discussions, one-on-one interviews, and participant-observation, findings suggest that women are not only resourceful and self-reliant, but they are equally desirous to improve their life skills and livelihood given the right opportunity. The study recommends concerted efforts from both government and nongovernmental organizations directed at eliminating the challenges/barriers to empowering women in the communities identified.