Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Girls (EROP)
Duration: November 2020 – October 2021
Background
Gender inequality remains deeply entrenched in Ghanaian society, with women and girls facing systemic discrimination despite decades of development efforts. Patriarchal norms, harmful traditional practices, and restrictive gender roles perpetuate a cycle of violence and exclusion – manifesting in alarming rates of child marriage (1 in 5 girls married before 18), teenage pregnancy (14% among 15-19 year olds), and economic marginalization. In the East Mamprusi District of North East Region, these challenges are particularly acute, with limited access to justice systems and economic opportunities for women. Recognizing this crisis, Savana Signatures launched the Equal Rights and Opportunities (EROP) project in 2020 with support from the Dutch Embassy, targeting five high-prevalence communities through an innovative blend of economic empowerment and gender justice interventions.
Cross-Cutting Interventions
- Teacher commitments to protect girls from SGBV in all project schools
- Animation videos challenging gender stereotypes
- Legal literacy sessions on women’s rights
Strategy
The EROP project implemented a dual-track approach to transform both individual agency and systemic barriers:
- Established 5 women’s economic groups (75 members) providing:
- Intensive livelihood skills training (agriculture, artisanal crafts)
- Financial literacy and business management education
- Linkages to microfinance institutions and District Assembly advisory services
- Support for business formalization (certification, registration)
- Gender Justice Ecosystem
- Formed 7 school-based protection clubs creating safe spaces for 350+ girls
- Trained community EROP Support Teams as gender equality advocates
- Mobilized 67 traditional leaders as champions against gender violence
- Strengthened referral networks through SHE+ Helpline integration
- Conducted mass media campaigns (radio dramas, call-in shows) reaching 15,000 community members
Highlights
- Rescued and re-enrolled child marriage survivors in formal education
- 75 women achieved economic independence through sustained enterprises
- 100% of economic group members reported increased decision-making power
- Established 5 permanent community-based protection networks
- Formalized partnerships between women’s groups and municipal business support services
- Documented 40% increase in SGBV case reporting to authorities
- 67 traditional leaders publicly pledged to combat gender violence
- Measured 35% improvement in community attitudes toward girls’ education