INVESTIGATING THE IMPACTS OF MATERNAL UNEMPLOYMENT ON CHILDREN’S SENSE OF SECURITY AND STABILITY IN TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

Women's unemployment rates in Ghana have shown mixed trends in recent years. Ghana’s unemployment rates, particularly among women, reveal significant disparities that highlight ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality in the labour market. The issue of maternal unemployment has profound implications for the socio-economic stability and emotional well being of families, particularly in developing areas such as Tamale Metropolis. The study sought to investigate the impacts of maternal unemployment on children’s sense of security and stability in the Tamale Metropolis. The study used an exploratory research design with the qualitative research approach for data gathering. The population of the study included families in the Tamale Metropolis who are experiencing high rates of maternal unemployment, and officials from the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, such as the social welfare department, and the gender department, among others. The sampling technique used in choosing respondents was the purposive sampling technique, with the total sample size being 95, which reached at the point of saturation. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were the data collection instruments for the study. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that, a lack of formal education or vocational training and low financial capacity to put up sustainable businesses as key barriers to maternal employment. The study also found that mothers had difficulties in providing regular and nutritious meals, which led to hunger and malnutrition among children, as well as limiting access to timely medical care, resulting in untreated illnesses and heightened vulnerability to health issues. The study recommended that the government should provide targeted training in high-demand fields such as technology, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship to equip women with market-relevant skills.