Gendered Impacts of Electronic Waste Exploitation on Women’s Health in Urban Ghana

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 9, August 2026 | pp. 113–120

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001262

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Gendered Impacts of Electronic Waste Exploitation on Women’s Health in Urban Ghana

Names of Authors: Dr. Kwabena A. Appiah¹, Dr. Serwaa O. Mensah¹

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Abstract:
This study investigates the gendered health vulnerabilities and economic realities of female informal workers processing electronic waste (e-waste) at the Agbogbloshie site in Accra, Ghana. Utilizing an environmental health framework, data were collected through medical questionnaires administered to 220 female scrap workers, alongside blood serum analysis for heavy metal toxicity concentrations. The laboratory diagnostics reveal that female workers exhibit significantly elevated levels of lead (mean = 18.4 ± 3.2 μg/dL) and cadmium compared to non-exposed control groups (p < 0.01). The socio-economic analysis shows that traditional gender divisions of labor relegate women to the least lucrative and most hazardous tasks, such as manual dismantling and open-air plastic burning, without protective gear. Regression modeling demonstrates that maternal exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals increased the risk of spontaneous abortions and neonatal low-birth-weight complications by 65%. Qualitative narratives indicate that deep-seated financial dependence prevents these women from seeking medical care at formal clinics, as they prioritize daily household survival over health security. Furthermore, healthcare providers lack training in occupational environmental toxicology, frequently misdiagnosing chemical poisoning symptoms as malaria. The study concludes that existing e-waste management regulations remain gender-blind. We recommend the provision of subsidized personal protective equipment tailored for women, the establishment of site-specific reproductive health tracking schemes, and the formalization of female scrap-worker cooperatives.

Keywords: Electronic Waste, Heavy Metals, Women’s Health, Informal Sector, Toxicology, Ghana

Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 14, 2026; Revised: May 29, 2026; Accepted: June 30, 2026; Published: August 31, 2026.

Citation: Appiah, K. A., & Mensah, S. O. (2026). Gendered Impacts of Electronic Waste Exploitation on Women’s Health in Urban Ghana. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(9), 113–120. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001262

Subscribe to read the full article: https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read