Women’s Autonomy in Ghana: Does Religion Matter?

  • Kamil Fuseini North-West University (Mafikeng Campus)
  • Ishmael Kalule-Sabiti North-West University (Mafikeng Campus)
Keywords: Religion, Region, Women’s Autonomy, Christian, Muslim

Abstract

This paper examines the role of religion in women’s autonomy in Ghana. The study uses data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, with an analytic sample of 1,424 women married to men of the same religious affiliation. The results indicate that the effect of religion on women's autonomy is non-existent. The results show that, Muslim women are as autonomous as Christian women once region and other socio-demographic factors are controlled. Contrary to expectation, women in northern Ghana, who are disadvantaged in terms of education, economic status among others, appear to be more autonomous in some domains of household decision-making than women in southern Ghana, a setting which is more developed and expected to be egalitarian. Majority of Ghanaian women appear to be autonomous across various domains of their lives; however, they largely participate as opposed to solely making decisions.

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Author Biographies

Kamil Fuseini, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus)
Population Training and Research Unit, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
Ishmael Kalule-Sabiti, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus)
Population Training and Research Unit, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
Published
2015-10-08
Section
Articles