ABSTRACT
One of the basic goals of ameliorating gender inequality is education. This is
recognised as a pivot for advancing women's well-being. However, the obstacles to
achieving gender inequality are overwhelming, given the entrenched patriarchal
positions in some cultures. Worldwide, boys are given more resources and
opportunities than girls. This bias systematically weaves its way into how parents
treat their children based on sex. The social positioning of the male child as linchpin
of support for older persons and the perceived future role of girls as mothers, the
patri-local marriage system, community pressure and the usefulness of girls at home
affect the decision-making process regarding girls' education. The situation continues
to remain a staggering problem in Ghana even though official documents and data
give the impression that girls' participation in school has improved tremendously in
the past decade. In this qualitative study, I sought to understand male prioritization on
girls‘ education in the Gomoa East District of Ghana, a matrilineal society. The study
was conducted in four selected communities within the district. Data collection was
done through interviews, focus group discussion and direct observation. Parents, girls,
community leaders and education officers served as participants for the study. The
findings show consistency in parental arguments on values assigned to male
education. While some differences existed between the views of urban and rural
communities on girls‘ education, the common understanding was the need for girls to
be educated. The implications drawn from this study are that gender awareness
campaign and sensitizing parents on the need for education for all should be key in
stakeholders' intervention to eliminate male priority. Else gender division as a form of
deprivation will continue to operate in relation to the decision-making process by
parents regarding girls' education.
Resources, A. & ADU-YEBOAH, C (2021). Male Prioritization Over Girls' Education in the Gomoa East District of Ghana. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/male-prioritization-over-girls-education-in-the-gomoa-east-district-of-ghana
Resources, African Research, and CHRISTOPHER ADU-YEBOAH "Male Prioritization Over Girls' Education in the Gomoa East District of Ghana" Afribary. Afribary, 10 Mar. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/male-prioritization-over-girls-education-in-the-gomoa-east-district-of-ghana. Accessed 24 May. 2022.
Resources, African Research, and CHRISTOPHER ADU-YEBOAH . "Male Prioritization Over Girls' Education in the Gomoa East District of Ghana". Afribary, Afribary, 10 Mar. 2021. Web. 24 May. 2022. < https://afribary.com/works/male-prioritization-over-girls-education-in-the-gomoa-east-district-of-ghana >.
Resources, African Research and ADU-YEBOAH, CHRISTOPHER . "Male Prioritization Over Girls' Education in the Gomoa East District of Ghana" Afribary (2021). Accessed May 24, 2022. https://afribary.com/works/male-prioritization-over-girls-education-in-the-gomoa-east-district-of-ghana