URBAN WOMEN'S CHOICE OF LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS OF GHANA

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study has been to examine the determinants, steps and processes of choice making among women in urban Tamale regarding their livelihoods pursuits. The study was conducted in the Tamale Metropolis and entailed the use of the survey design to guide data collection. Data collected was analyzed largely through qualitative methods with a small quantitative component. Data from the participants were obtained through a semi-structured interview guide with few focus group discussions arranged for women in some selected areas. Responses were obtained from a sample of 400 on how they choose their livelihoods among five outlined categories. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to analyze the first objective which found that women's choice of livelihood is determined by their age, marital status, educational level, distance to market, leadership status, remittances received, and family size. Out of those seven variables, five of them were found to be significant up to less than 10% probability level in determining urban women's choice. On choice making processes, the study revealed that women employ various steps in deciding on their livelihoods. From the participants, six steps were mentioned of which 1 % of the respondents rightly employed all. Some of the effects of the choice making steps included opening new business potential, rigorous assessment of options, identifying strengths and weaknesses and exposure of secrets. The study concluded that women's choice making is influenced by their socio-demographic characteristics and that by far educated women are better off in choice making than the uneducated. The study recommends the provision of non-formal education, career guidance and counseling, programs to curtail gender job stereotyping among others.