A majority of the world follows the patriarchal structure at households. While only select communities in different pockets of the world follow a matriarchal structure, a new study has emerged from Ghana, that makes a strong case for the matriarchal households.

The 13-year long study conducted between 2006 and 2019 found that families headed by women are outpacing homes headed by males in all areas in terms of escaping poverty.

The results, which were presented at a workshop for dissemination in Accra, emphasize the critical role that support networks, like remittances and targeted assistance from advocacy organisations and financial institutions, play in enabling women to attain economic independence and pull their families out of poverty.

The study, which was carried out by a group of eminent academics from esteemed institutions, urges for a comprehensive strategy to fight poverty that takes into account the needs of both men and women.

Women Lead Households Efficiently

When given access to education, employment opportunities, and social support, women-led households that have been able to escape poverty have demonstrated extraordinary resiliency and ingenuity. Despite experiencing particular difficulties including prejudice and a lack of resources, they contribute significantly to improving their families and communities.

When women have decision-making power and access to microfinance, they make investments in the education and health of their children, which benefits the entire household. Women frequently develop strong support networks, which promotes a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration. Societies can unleash the enormous potential of women to stop the cycle of poverty and advance sustainable development by addressing gender imbalances and granting equitable opportunity.

The Study

The research team behind the ground-breaking study includes Mr. Louis Hodey, Researcher at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex in the UK, Dr. Dede Gafa, Lecturer at the African School of Economics in Benin, and Professor Bernardin Senadza, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana.

Mr. Hodey asserts that female-led families typically develop as a result of the lack of a male partner, which results in their independence. Their capacity to overcome poverty is a result of their efficient use of time, help from numerous programmes aimed at women, and other factors. The 31st December Women's Movement, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and financial institutions are notable support networks that were all created with the goal of lifting women out of poverty.

Mr. Hodey emphasised that over the research period (2006-2019), women-led families outperformed their male-led counterparts in terms of breaking free from poverty, and that this tendency is due in large part to the combined efforts of these groups of people. According to the research, women-led homes were able to escape poverty whereas men-led households were unable to do so.

The Importance of Support Systems

The study emphasises the crucial part that support networks play in empowering women and their families. Remittances are frequently sent home by male spouses who work outside the town or support women-headed homes. These extra cash, together with focused assistance from other organisations, give women essential tools they need to better manage household finances and enhance the wellness of their dependents. When appropriately utilised, the support networks available to women open the door for long-term economic growth and development.

The report emphasises the admirable strides women-led families have made in escaping poverty, but it also stresses the necessity for a comprehensive strategy to combat poverty reduction and eradication in Ghana. According to the researchers, focusing just on the needs of poor women while ignoring the needs of poor males may not lead to the expected outcomes in the battle against poverty.

Professor Bernardin Senadza emphasised the need of acknowledging that poverty affects people of both sexes and that assistance services had to be inclusive. Instead of favouring one gender over the other, the researchers call for a balanced strategy that recognises the particular difficulties that both men and women experience.

Conclusion

According to strong evidence from the research of Professor Bernardin Senadza, Dr. Dede Gafa, and Mr. Louis Hodey, women-led families in Ghana are making tremendous progress out of poverty. The numerous organisations' support networks have been instrumental in empowering women and pulling their families out of poverty. However, in order to achieve long-lasting and sustainable effects, the research also advocates for a more inclusive strategy for reducing poverty—one that takes both men's and women's needs into consideration.

Ghana may continue on its road of empowering women and encouraging economic growth and prosperity for all its inhabitants by recognising the potential of women and putting in place tailored aid and support structures. As we advance, it is essential to keep in mind that a society that elevates all of its people, regardless of gender, will eventually flourish and produce a better future for future generations.