Deciphering gender disparities in socioeconomic cum cultural and religious practices in Africa.

Odusanya, Temitope Omotola; Fayomi, Oluyemi Oyenike; Ogunsanwo, Alaba

Abstract

Demographically, more than half of the African population are women. Nevertheless, disparities in allusion to gender linger at the apex of contemporary issues, especially in Africa. For several decades, women have been continuously sidelined from socioeconomic, cultural and religious participation and leadership positions. Gender disparities therefore seem to be deeply embedded in socioeconomic, cultural and religious practices in Africa. Despite the multifarious national and international legislation aimed against gender disparities, there remains a great lacuna of women's marginalization in governance. This study illuminates these gender disparities with the aid of historical and analytical evaluation as well as the social role theoretical framework. This is further combined with an explanatory and exploratory qualitative research design. This methodology was effective in understanding the numerous drivers for gender disparities, social gender roles and norms, the general exploitative nature of marriage, cultural legacies, politics and religion in the African context vis-a-vis the Western world. This paper also demonstrates that, although women are as intellectually capable as men, ostracism of women remains evident across diverse echelons of human civilization, including in democratic societies. The research finds that some critical factors - such as economic impediments, lack of or inadequate education, and religious belief - foster gender disparities in Africa. This study therefore recommends an overhaul of the patriarchal education and curriculum; the analysis and study of religious books must be in accordance with the transformed sociological realities. Moreover, equality must be evidenced in the recruitment process of qualified men and women in governance. The paper concludes that inflexible and barbaric cultural stereotypes and religious practices be reformed with consideration to gender parity. A standard shift is essential especially by women themselves, to ensure that women are both enlightened and empowered.

Citation

ODUSANYA, T.O., FAYOMI, O.O. and OGUNSANWO, A. 2023. Deciphering gender disparities in socioeconomic cum cultural and religious practices in Africa. Innovare journal of social sciences [online], 11(3), pages 9-14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.22159/ijss.2023.v11i3.47686

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: May 2, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Jun 30, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 3, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2023
• Journal: Innovare journal of social sciences
• Electronic ISSN: 2347-5544
• Publisher: Innovare Academic Sciences
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 9-14
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22159/ijss.2023.v11i3.47686
• Keywords: Gender inequality; Gender discrimination; Women and society; Women and religion; Patriarchy; Africa; Civilization; Equality; Gender studies; Multidimensional poverty and social roles
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1987578