Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric
Gender equality has gained unmatched attention in recent times in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Globally, governments and organizations are encouraged to institute measures to promote gender equality. This study examined the efforts World Vision Ghana (WVG) made in promoting ge...
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| Format: | Article |
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Noyam Journals
2022-09-01
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| Series: | E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://noyam.org/ehass2022393/ |
| _version_ | 1797758869279080448 |
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| author | Daniel Odoom Eric Opoku Mensah Festus Annor-Frempong Christopher Dick-Sagoe Van Crowder |
| author_facet | Daniel Odoom Eric Opoku Mensah Festus Annor-Frempong Christopher Dick-Sagoe Van Crowder |
| author_sort | Daniel Odoom |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gender equality has gained unmatched attention in recent times in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Globally, governments and organizations are encouraged to institute measures to promote gender equality. This study examined the efforts World Vision Ghana (WVG) made in promoting gender equality under the Cocoa Life Project, using Wassa East District as a case. The alternative development and participation theories grounded this study. Data was obtained from 342 respondents using an interview schedule and focus group discussion guide. Frequencies, percentages and independent samples t-tests were used for the quantitative analysis whereas content analysis was done for the qualitative data. The study discovered that WVG had put in place measures such as the provision of training on modern farming practices and financial literacy equally for men and women to promote gender equality under the Cocoa Life Project. The Organization also offered equal access to information, alternative livelihood programs and credit facilities for men and women as a strategy to promote gender equality in the District. No significant differences manifested in the views of male and female beneficiaries regarding the efforts WVG made to promote gender equality. However, despite the sensitization programs organized by WVG, achieving gender equality in terms of access to farmlands in beneficiary communities was challenging. The paper outlines key theoretical and policy implications of the findings. WVG should effectively collaborate with Cocoa Life Division, Community-Based Organizations and local authorities to design new communication strategies to help enhance women’s access to farmlands in beneficiary communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T18:36:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c5afa7606fac4b0281c8ffd84f5de8bc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2720-7722 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T18:36:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Noyam Journals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c5afa7606fac4b0281c8ffd84f5de8bc2023-08-02T08:02:06ZengNoyam JournalsE-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences2720-77222022-09-0139393412https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2022393Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the RhetoricDaniel Odoom 0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6093-7474Eric Opoku Mensah1Festus Annor-Frempong2Christopher Dick-Sagoe3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5295-252XVan Crowder4Department of Communication Studies, Ghana Institute of Journalism, GhanaDepartment of Communication Studies, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Ghana. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5295-252X Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USAGender equality has gained unmatched attention in recent times in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Globally, governments and organizations are encouraged to institute measures to promote gender equality. This study examined the efforts World Vision Ghana (WVG) made in promoting gender equality under the Cocoa Life Project, using Wassa East District as a case. The alternative development and participation theories grounded this study. Data was obtained from 342 respondents using an interview schedule and focus group discussion guide. Frequencies, percentages and independent samples t-tests were used for the quantitative analysis whereas content analysis was done for the qualitative data. The study discovered that WVG had put in place measures such as the provision of training on modern farming practices and financial literacy equally for men and women to promote gender equality under the Cocoa Life Project. The Organization also offered equal access to information, alternative livelihood programs and credit facilities for men and women as a strategy to promote gender equality in the District. No significant differences manifested in the views of male and female beneficiaries regarding the efforts WVG made to promote gender equality. However, despite the sensitization programs organized by WVG, achieving gender equality in terms of access to farmlands in beneficiary communities was challenging. The paper outlines key theoretical and policy implications of the findings. WVG should effectively collaborate with Cocoa Life Division, Community-Based Organizations and local authorities to design new communication strategies to help enhance women’s access to farmlands in beneficiary communities.https://noyam.org/ehass2022393/gender equalitycommunity developmentparticipationcommunication policy |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Odoom Eric Opoku Mensah Festus Annor-Frempong Christopher Dick-Sagoe Van Crowder Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences gender equality community development participation communication policy |
| title | Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric |
| title_full | Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric |
| title_fullStr | Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric |
| title_short | Promoting Gender Equality as a Strategy for Community Development in Ghana: Moving Beyond the Rhetoric |
| title_sort | promoting gender equality as a strategy for community development in ghana moving beyond the rhetoric |
| topic | gender equality community development participation communication policy |
| url | https://noyam.org/ehass2022393/ |
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