“Men are the head; women are the neck”: examining dynamics between female agency and cultural nuances
“Men are the head; women are the neck”: examining dynamics between female agency and cultural nuances
When conducting research in lower-income settings such as rural Ghana, it is vital to ensure that community entry activities are prioritised and local processes are followed. There are both formal and traditional systems to respect and engage with, and this can then allow for smooth progress and participant engagement. In this commentary, we explore the lessons observed and learnt from a recent study, where the study aims to empower female voices, but also aligns this with cultural expectations. Female participants, especially in vulnerable communities, have little to no voice in the literature and policy-making, thus it is important that we go about research appropriately to allow for their participation. Thus, it is imperative to listen and learn from local researchers and balance the need for female empowerment with cultural norms.
West Africa, women's health, Gender equality, research inclusion, community engagement
Bird, Amelia G.
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Boxall, Jessica L.
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Abdulai, Mohammed Malle
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Head, Michael G.
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Shani, Abdul Kasiru
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Gaa, Patience Kanyiri
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Bird, Amelia G.
90600878-402a-47c4-bd83-4029f9015b49
Boxall, Jessica L.
c8fac297-e666-481f-8bb1-41ab2cbccd3d
Abdulai, Mohammed Malle
6784299f-676d-40c4-a6cc-744a58cfbf0b
Head, Michael G.
67ce0afc-2fc3-47f4-acf2-8794d27ce69c
Shani, Abdul Kasiru
ef3d8ca3-2816-4886-a4d6-ea887981f7c1
Gaa, Patience Kanyiri
eabaff99-f282-4297-b2a0-11438dcf7cf8
Bird, Amelia G., Boxall, Jessica L., Abdulai, Mohammed Malle, Head, Michael G., Shani, Abdul Kasiru and Gaa, Patience Kanyiri
(2026)
“Men are the head; women are the neck”: examining dynamics between female agency and cultural nuances.
Development in Practice.
(doi:10.1080/09614524.2026.2622913).
Abstract
When conducting research in lower-income settings such as rural Ghana, it is vital to ensure that community entry activities are prioritised and local processes are followed. There are both formal and traditional systems to respect and engage with, and this can then allow for smooth progress and participant engagement. In this commentary, we explore the lessons observed and learnt from a recent study, where the study aims to empower female voices, but also aligns this with cultural expectations. Female participants, especially in vulnerable communities, have little to no voice in the literature and policy-making, thus it is important that we go about research appropriately to allow for their participation. Thus, it is imperative to listen and learn from local researchers and balance the need for female empowerment with cultural norms.
Text
Men are the head women are the neck examining dynamics between female agency and cultural nuances
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 18 December 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 25 February 2026
Keywords:
West Africa, women's health, Gender equality, research inclusion, community engagement
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 510305
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/510305
ISSN: 0961-4524
PURE UUID: 01b2d91a-6ff2-447a-9ff5-04898dba676b
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Date deposited: 25 Mar 2026 17:34
Last modified: 26 Mar 2026 02:59
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Contributors
Author:
Amelia G. Bird
Author:
Jessica L. Boxall
Author:
Mohammed Malle Abdulai
Author:
Abdul Kasiru Shani
Author:
Patience Kanyiri Gaa
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