Ghana: Information on the treatment of women in society and protection against spousal domestic violence
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA15345 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Information on the treatment of women in society and protection against spousal domestic violence, 1 September 1993, GHA15345, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac51a0.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The 1992 Ghanaian constitution protects women from all forms of discrimination (Kludze 1993, 38-54). Ghanaian women have been very active in the economic life of Ghana, particularly in the areas of trade and agricultural production (ILO 1987, 25). As compared to women from both industrializing and industrialized countries, Ghanaian women have more highly rated levels of individualism, status and confidence (ILO 1987, 25).
However, women's involvement in economic activity may not be by choice. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women recently reviewed a report from the government of Ghana on the status of Ghanaian women. The concerns raised by the committee summarize the kinds of discrimination Ghanaian women encounter in their society (United Nations June 1992, 26-35).
The committee acknowledged that while the government of Ghana has been making efforts to eliminate discrimination against women, the problems Ghanaian women face should be seen within the context of difficult economic times and specific cultural attitudes, resulting in the coexistence of different systems of laws (Ibid., 27-28). The committee concluded that the problems Ghanaian women face originate from Ghanaian traditions and customs (Ibid.).
Practices placing Ghanaian women in an inferior position to men include the persistence of polygamy and discriminatory inheritance practices, higher illiteracy and maternal mortality (Ibid.). According to the same source, Ghanaian women's work is undervalued and unrecognized, and they still suffer from cruel widowhood rites, the ineffectiveness of new interstate laws intended to benefit women, the persistence of wife battering and the stereotyping of women (Ibid., 28).
The other forms of discrimination against women include prostitution and the trafficking of young women (Ibid., 27-29). The committee's report quoted the Ghanaian representative as stating that wife battering is generally condoned in traditional society, but that it is an offence and punishable under the Ghana Criminal Code (Ibid., 34). The Ghana National Council on Women has been playing an important role in improving the social situation of Ghanaian women (Ibid., 35).
For details on the above-mentioned information, please refer to the attachment from the United Nations "Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women." For further corroboration of the information provided by the report on the various forms of discrimination against Ghanaian women, please refer to the attachment "Traditionalist vs. Modern Culture in West Africa...."
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
International Labour Organization (ILO). 1987. Seven Roles of Women: Impact of Education, Migration and Employment on Ghanaian Mothers. Geneva: ILO.
Kludze, A.K.P. May 1993. "Ghana," Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications.
Ray, I. Donald. 1986. Ghana: Politics, Economics and Society. Boulder, Co: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.
United Nations. June 1992. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. New York: United Nations.
Attachments
International Labour Organization (ILO). 1987. Seven Roles of Women: Impact of Education, Migration and Employment on Ghanaian Mothers. Geneva: ILO.
Kludze, A.K.P. May 1993. "Ghana," Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications.
Ray, I. Donald. 1986. Ghana: Politics, Economics and Society. Boulder, Co: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.
Carleton University, Research Resource Division for Refugees. February 1993. Traditionalist vs. Modern Culture in West Africa..., pp. 18-20, 21-32.
United Nations. June 1992. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. New York: United Nations.
