Cohabitation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Does Women Empowerment Matter? Insights from the Demographic and Health Survey

Castro Ayebeng, University of Cape Coast
Joshua Okyere, University of Cape Coast
Nancy Arthur, Challenging Heights
Kwamena Dickson, University of Cape Coast

This study examines the relationship between women empowerment indicators and cohabitation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Analyzing information from 124,183 women aged 15 to 49, the research reveals that women with higher levels of acceptance toward violence, greater decision-making capacity, and increased general knowledge level are more likely to cohabit. Conversely, women aged 25 and above, those in rural areas, the wealthiest individuals, and religious individuals were less likely to cohabit. The study underscores the role of women's empowerment in cohabitation dynamics in SSA and highlights the role of addressing adolescent pregnancies in reducing cohabitation among reproductive-age women in the region.