This qualitative research assessed the effectiveness of the strategies adopted by four key NGOs in addressing Violence Against Women (VAW) within the Ghanaian context. VAW is a worldwide pandemic that permeates across all geographical boundaries and impacts all people and societies regardless of culture, class, ethnicity, age, race, socio-economic status, political leaning, or religion. It is a daily phenomenon faced by humanity from the household level to national levels. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have devised several means of curbing VAW but the menace still persist.
The study targeted a total of fifty two respondents comprising; eight personnel from the four selected NGOs; twelve state actors; fourteen non-state actors and eighteen direct beneficiaries through the usage of in-depth (informal) and key informant interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, direct field observations as well as desk top review of official documents. The study found out that, all four NGOs utilised among others, five key strategies in tackling the menace of VAW in Ghana and these are awareness creation, lobbying and advocacy, community mobilisation, activism and networking, training/capacity building and service provision. The study results further indicated that, notwithstanding the efficacy of the strategies deployed by the NGOs, there were some challenges that confronted the NGOs in their fight against VAW. Notable among them were the lack of willingness on the part of victims of VAW to report and further pursue perpetrators of VAW, financial constraints facing the NGOs as well as state actors and lack of well-coordinated approach on the part of all stakeholders in their effort to eradicate VAW in Ghana.
The study made a number of recommendations, including collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to fight VAW, adequate resourcing and funding of the NGOs by both government and donor agencies. Also recommended is the intensification of the education on the unlawfulness of VAW and that, any culprits apprehended would be punished by law. These and many others will serve as measures to improve the effectiveness of the strategies employed by the NGOs in their fight against the cancerous menace of VAW in Ghana.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Literature review
2.1 Violence and Gender Base Violence Definitions
2.2 Theoretical framework
2.3 Empirical Literature
2.4 Overview of Operational Activities of NGOs in Addressing VAW
2.5 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Strategies Employed by NGOs in Combating VAW in Ghana
2.6 Brief Background of the Four Selected NGOs
3. Materials and methods
3.1 Research Design and Approach
3.2 Sample Size
3.3 Sampling Techniques
3.4 Data Handling and Analysis
3.5 Ethical Consideration
4. Empirical results
4.1 Background Information of Respondents
4.2 The Role Played by the Four NGO’s In Combating VAW in Ghana. (Objective one)
4.3. Evaluating or assessing the effectiveness of interventional initiatives/strategies of the four NGO’s in combating VAW in Ghana. (Objective 2)
4.4 Challenges Faced by The Four NGO’s in Combating Violence against Women in Ghana (Objective 3)
5. Conclusion
5.1 Recommendations and Policy implications
Research Objectives and Focus
This study investigates the effectiveness of interventional strategies employed by four key non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ghana to address the pervasive issue of violence against women (VAW). By analyzing the roles and methodologies of these organizations, the research seeks to identify successful interventions, evaluate the impact of these initiatives on behavioral change, and assess the systemic challenges that hinder progress in eradicating domestic and gender-based violence.
- Analysis of five core interventional strategies used by Ghanaian NGOs (Awareness-raising, Lobbying/Advocacy, Community Mobilization, Training/Capacity Building, and Service Provision).
- Assessment of the effectiveness of these strategies in changing social norms and attitudes toward gender-based violence.
- Examination of the institutional, financial, and socio-cultural challenges faced by NGOs in their fight against violence.
- Evaluation of the role of stakeholders, including state actors, community leaders, and direct beneficiaries.
- Formulation of evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance future violence prevention efforts.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
“Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation. And it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture, or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development, and peace.” (Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General, 1999). “Across the world Violence against Women and Girls remain one of the most serious- and the most tolerated- human rights violations, both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality and discrimination. Its continuous presence is one of the clearest makers of societies out of balance and we are determined to change that. On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women we say again: it is not acceptable. It is not inevitable. It can be prevented”. (Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka – United Nations [UN], Women Executive Director, 20th November 2015)
From these two powerful statements, it is clear that Violence against Women (VAW) is a worldwide phenomenon attacking the very basis of our human rights with replicating cause and consequences on gender inequality and discrimination against women around the world which needs not be tolerated or condoned in any form what so ever. VAW is a global pandemic that cuts across all borders and impacts all people and societies regardless of culture, class, ethnicity, age, race, socio-economic status, political leaning, or religion [1, 2, 3]. VAW is widely spread, deeply ingrained and has serious effects on the well-being of people. This violence desecrates women’s physical and/or psychological wellbeing since it causes harm and pain [4, 5, 6]. Its persistent existence is morally indefensible. It continues to dampen economic development and tears at the fabric of society. The health costs to women include not only the detrimental impact on their physical well-being and life-long emotional distress, but also increases their susceptibility to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and affects their mental and reproductive health. In addition to physical injury, VAW results in constant episodes of fear, depression, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and hate [7, 8]. Research also shows that VAW leads to maternal and infant mortality due to poor nutrition, low birth weight, and inadequate nursing [9, 10, 11].
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the global problem of violence against women (VAW), situating the study within the Ghanaian context and defining the research scope.
2. Literature review: Provides a theoretical and empirical overview of gender-based violence, including definitions, feminist/anti-colonial perspectives, and the operational background of the four selected NGOs.
3. Materials and methods: Describes the qualitative research design and the specific techniques used, including in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and surveys among beneficiaries and stakeholders.
4. Empirical results: Presents the findings regarding the strategies implemented by the NGOs and assesses their effectiveness, while highlighting the primary challenges encountered in the field.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the research findings, confirming the effectiveness of the NGO interventions while outlining critical policy recommendations for stakeholders.
Keywords
Ghana, Non-governmental organizations, NGOs, Strategies, Violence against women, VAW, Gender-based violence, Advocacy, Community mobilization, Capacity building, Human rights, Patriarchy, Empowerment, Social intervention, Domestic violence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research focuses on the effectiveness of strategies utilized by four specific NGOs in Ghana to combat violence against women, exploring how these interventions influence social change and address the needs of survivors.
Which NGOs were examined in this study?
The study examines The Ark Foundation, the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Ghana), the Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Center (Gender Centre), and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF Ghana).
What is the primary research question?
The paper asks to what extent these four NGOs have succeeded in combating VAW, which specific strategies have been most effective, and what challenges hinder their sustainability and overall impact.
What research methodology was employed?
The study used a qualitative research design, incorporating in-depth informal interviews, key informant interviews with state and non-state actors, semi-structured questionnaires for beneficiaries, and a review of official documents.
What are the key findings regarding NGO strategies?
The study found that all four NGOs consistently utilized five key strategies: awareness-raising, lobbying and advocacy, community mobilization, training/capacity building, and service provision.
What is the main obstacle to progress identified in the study?
The most significant challenges identified include the unwillingness of victims to report abuse due to societal stigma and economic dependence, financial constraints, and a lack of a coordinated multi-sectoral approach.
How does the study define an "effective" NGO strategy?
An effective strategy is defined as one that achieves its stated objectives and contributes to the eradication or minimization of VAW by positively shifting behavioral attitudes in Ghanaian society.
What is the role of Community-Based Action Teams (COMBATs)?
COMBATs are groups of elected community members who serve as local agents for change, undertaking crisis interventions, raising awareness, and establishing community-based sanctions against perpetrators of violence.
How has the "Girls Empowerment Club" (GEC) impacted young women?
The GEC initiative has been successful in educating young girls about their rights, duties, and responsibilities, which has led to increased awareness regarding the dangers of early sex and child marriage.
- Citation du texte
- Ronald Essel (Auteur), Patricia Issabella Essel (Auteur), 2019, Violence against Women in Ghana. Interventions by NGOs, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/507863
