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Paper short abstract

Examining coastal Ghana's fishing sector, this paper contrasts international attitudes with local realities. It argues international bodies often overlook local voices. Policy must prioritize local women's economic needs and include them in decisions over simply imposing Western models of equality.

Paper long abstract

This paper analyzes general assumptions regarding gender equality in labor law and contrasts them with existing local practices in coastal Ghana. International treaties—such as the UN UDHR, CEDAW, and the African Union’s Maputo Protocol— enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and local laws are implemented and committees highlight issues like discrimination, hiring inequality, and poverty, data collection often excludes the voices of traditional leaders like village chiefs and "queen mothers."

To demonstrate this gap, the research examines the artisanal fishing industry, a sector foundational to the region's economy. While traditional roles exist (men harvest the fish, while women handle processing, business, and household management), women do play a strong role in local politics and their grassroots demands include improved transport infrastructure, rural Internet access, financial safety nets for off-seasons, and stricter environmental regulations. Long-term support for women’s rights requires integrating them into decision-making processes that respect the specific needs of local women, rather than imposing Western conceptions as-is.