Positionality of women in homeownership: a process of gender contract negotiation

Abstract

Literature is replete with information indicating that the roles, status and positions of men and women in society have evolved significantly over the years. Yet, there is a little understanding of how such changes have occurred in homeownership attainment in developing countries where there is male dominance. Using Ghana as a case study, this study explores the evolution of women’s role in homeownership. Findings show that although men exercise greater control in terms of investment and ownership, gender contract renegotiations often lead to an increase in women’s participation in homeownership mainly in supportive capacities. Renegotiations have mostly occurred to demystify the normative ideology tying men with the sole responsibility of housing investments. As a consequence, there is evidence of women making financial contributions, supervising construction activities and exploring cost-saving measures to aid the process of family house construction. Generally, findings show that homeownership enhances reproductive roles, uplifts status of men and acknowledges the contributions of women. Similarly, new norms of inheritance supported by statutory and customary law offer ownership stakes to women. In view of this benefit, women tend to be motivated towards providing support for the attainment of family homeownership.