Asante-Akim North: A study conducted as part of the implementation of the 'She Leads Project', shows that girls spend significantly more time on household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, fetching water, and caring for younger siblings.
According to Ghana News Agency, the study was spearheaded by Erudite Women's Empowerment Foundation (EWEF) in partnership with Defence for Children International Ghana. It revealed that boys had more leisure time or engaged in outdoor activities. The research was conducted in households across five communities in the Asante-Akim North Municipality and highlighted that certain tasks were predominantly assigned based on gender norms, with girls handling domestic responsibilities and boys tasked with activities outside the home.
The study also found that girls had less time for studying, extracurricular activities, and rest compared to their male counterparts. This disparity affects their academic performance, self-esteem, and future opportunities. Many parents and guardians, according to the study's findings, unknowingly perpetuate these disparities by assigning chores based on traditional gender roles. This practice often excuses boys from domestic responsibilities, reinforcing the notion that household work is a female duty.
Highlighting the implications of unequal distribution of household chores, the findings concluded that girls have less time to develop skills that could prepare them for professional careers, limiting their leadership aspirations and economic independence. Unequal chore distribution in childhood often translates into adulthood, where women continue to bear the brunt of unpaid domestic labour, even when they work outside the home, the report pointed out.
Following the revelations in the study, the She Leads Social Movement in the Asante Akim North Municipal is advocating educating parents and guardians on the importance of equitable chore distribution. Raising awareness about the long-term impacts of gendered task assignments can encourage fairer practices at home. The movement calls for chore assignments to be based on fairness rather than gender, helping boys and girls develop essential life skills. It stresses that parents could rotate tasks so that all children contribute equally to household maintenance.
The report also suggests that schools should integrate gender sensitivity training into their curricula to challenge traditional norms and empower students to advocate for fairness in household responsibilities. The Girls and Young Women (GYW) of the She Leads Social Movement, in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency on the study, stated that community leaders, religious institutions, and advocacy groups could play a crucial role in challenging societal norms that reinforce gender disparities in household labour. They emphasized that parents should demonstrate equitable labour division at home. When children observe both parents sharing household duties, they are more likely to adopt similar behaviours.
