The Gendered Cooperative and awareness:

Abstract

Global awareness of the gendered nature of cooperative movements recognizes that gender equality is a crucial, yet often overlooked. This paper assesses the three components which were; Women status on cooperative business undertaking in Africa; women cultural norms and their relations in joining a cooperative; women societal expectations and the cooperatives participation; women economic realities in becoming a cooperative member. The article is guided by Feminist theory examines how gender relations are socially constructed and how these constructs impact women's lives and social structures. This article approves a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to critically explore the gendered issues in cooperatives assessing women participation in cooperative dilemma. The discussion indicates that; women show a small share compared to their counterparts that present significant challenges for women's participation and empowerment within African cooperatives. Also, women face several societal expectations that can make it challenging for them to participate fully in cooperatives. These include cultural norms, social roles, and economic factors that disadvantage women, often limiting their access to education, skills development, and leadership opportunities. It is concluded that, the challenges of women participating in cooperative decision making and business trend indicates an increasing participation and the positive impact in cooperatives with a gradual change effect. The article recommends to the cooperative movements across Africa to have programs on empowering women through education, skills development, and access to resources is crucial for overcoming these challenges. Also, a deliberate effort on advocating for policies that address structural barriers and promote women's participation in cooperatives is essential. Research should investigate how women's participation in cooperatives affects power relations within households, including decision-making regarding finances, labor allocation, and childcare. Comparative research can explore how different cooperative models (e.g., women-only vs. mixed-sex) influence intrahousehold dynamic.