The Influence of Gender Equity on Sustainable Family

Abstract

This study addresses the effect of gender equity on sustainable family in Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Region. Emphasis is on the prevailing societal norms and expectations regarding gender roles in marriages and the relationship between equitable participation in family decision-making and family sustainability. The study also explored the link between equitable sharing of responsibilities and level of marital satisfaction. The study was guided by an interpretivism philosophy which emphasised understanding the meanings and conflicts present in social phenomena. This approach enabled the researchers to understand the lived experiences of respondents. Specifically, it enabled the researchers to appreciate the influence of gender equity on sustainable family practices within the context of Moshi Municipality (Kaushik, 2019; Biesta, 2010). A qualitative research approach was adopted employing a case study design which involved semi structured interviews and participant observations with 40 respondents - family couples and social welfare officers from Majengo and Njoro wards in Moshi Municipality. The use of this methodology was informed by the desire to richly understand the gender equity and family sustainability dynamics. The findings revealed a shift in the marriage practices with traditional gender roles still affecting decision-making and sharing of responsibilities. Nevertheless, a shift was evident, especially among the younger and educated couples. Findings indicated that equitable participation in family decision-making contributes to family sustainability by fostering respect in the family, better conflict resolution and strengthening partnership. In addition, a fair sharing of responsibilities is positively associated with the level of marital satisfaction as it promotes the closeness between the couple, reduces stress and develops the emotional bonds between the spouses. The study recommends several actions including community awareness programs to change the traditional gender roles expectations, workshops to promote joint decision-making and equitable sharing of responsibilities and media campaigns to shift to more balanced family practices.