Marginalization and empowerment: An intersectional analysis of Kayayei women in Accra, Ghana

This thesis examines the experiences of females engaged in the head porterage business in the Madina Central Market located in the Madina Municipal District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Colloquially known as Kayayei, these women are migrants from Northern Ghana who engage in the head porterage business (Kaya business) in urban centers. The study examines these women in their pursuit of their migration goals in the midst of rigid social structures which surrounds them. It employs a multidimensional analytical framework which encompasses three concepts namely; Social Identity Theory, Feminist Intersectionality Theory and Agency, to provide a robust understanding of the motivations, decision and challenges which surround the migration journeys of Kayayei women. Utilizing qualitative research methods, specifically, observations, one-on-one-interviews, and focus group discussion, this study pursues three major objectives. Firstly, it explores the extent to which women from Northern Ghana possess the power to actuate their migration goals given the stigma and stereotypes they face in society as women. Secondly, it investigates how the portrayal of the Kaya job which is socially perceived as an inferior job affects workers in the industry, and lastly, it investigates the general disposition of the Kayayei towards their occupation in this context. The findings from this study contribute to the existing knowledge of labor migration among Kayayei women in Ghana. It amplifies the voices and experiences of the Kayayei women by highlighting their agency and resilience in a challenging socio-cultural environment in pursuit of a better life.