Patriarchy and Gender Inequality in Africa

Patriarchy is a system of social differentiation and stratification on the basis of sex, where the men have authority over women and children, and ultimately are the head of the household. In many parts of Africa, women have been discriminated against from infancy and this gender disparity exists to the disadvantage of the women as it affects their social status and access to quality services

While patriarchy is a vital concept for feminist analysis, it has been reported that not all women are in subordinate positions and that women’s perceptions are shaped and affected by the constraints of patriarchal structures.

These include:

•    Patriarchal mode of production in which women’s labour is expropriated by their husbands
•    Patriarchal relations within waged labour
•    The patriarchal state
•    Male violence
•    Patriarchal relations in sexuality
•    Patriarchal culture

If the constraints within these structures are tackled, the implication is that these women may be able to initiate good health seeking habits, feel more empowered, and reduce harmful traditional practices (e.g. female genital mutilation). For example changing discriminatory legislations, which potentially weakens the influence of patriarchy should encourage women’s empowerment to practise good maternal health practices without the need for permission from husbands.

Sadly, many developing countries have continuously failed to stop gender discrimination, as evidenced by the recent failure of the Nigerian Senate in passing the proposed gender and equal opportunity bill. Measures such as changing legislation may however, be a longer-term strategy, as it concerns bureaucracy and government system processes. It is, therefore, vital to continuously seek out ways to empower women with the right tools to making practical life-saving decisions.

Intervention studies have indicated that the higher a woman’s socio-economic characteristics (e.g. wealth and education) the more averse her attitude is towards the continuation of harmful cultural norms and practices such as female circumcision. One immediate strategy may be to utilise efficient communication and education in informing these women on the usefulness of good health care seeking behaviour, and their fundamental rights within the current patriarchal systems.

Equal rights should be accorded to everyone without any form of discrimination, if the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals are to be met by the year 2030.

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