Women often carry a disproportionate share of responsibilities in families, balancing childcare, household management, and professional ambitions, according to Saviour Adonpoka Azaare, a member of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED).
Speaking in an interview with James Nana Tsiquaye to commemorate International Women’s Day, Azaare said many women continue to shoulder significant burdens within households despite increasing conversations about gender equality.
“Even when men provide for the family, taking care of the home and children alone is not an easy task,” she said.
Azaare noted that women frequently juggle multiple roles, including raising children, managing businesses or careers, and pursuing education.
“When a woman is multitasking between school, career, and caring for a child, her mind is divided,” she said. “It can affect concentration and progress.”
She said financial responsibilities also add pressure, as many women contribute to household expenses even in homes where men are considered the primary providers.
“In many homes today, responsibilities are shared, sometimes 50-50 or 70-30,” she said. “Women are contributing a lot.”
Azaare also criticized the common question asked by some men in relationships: “What do you bring to the table?”
According to her, the question often overlooks the significant roles women play in families, particularly in childbearing and childcare.
“A woman carries a child for nine months and raises that child to become responsible in society,” she said. “That alone is a huge contribution.”
She added that women often make personal sacrifices for their families.
“There are times when a woman forgets about herself because she is thinking about the needs of her children,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Azaare described women as vital pillars in family and national development.
“When you educate a woman, you educate an entire nation,” she said.
She encouraged continued efforts to empower women through education, mentorship, and economic opportunities.
