Girls' Life Choices
Year of Implementation: 2019
Background
In Ghana, entrenched socio-cultural norms continue to hinder girls’ empowerment, confining them to domestic roles while limiting access to economic opportunities. Traditional gender roles perpetuate cycles of poverty and vulnerability, with 23% of girls married before 18 and 14% becoming mothers by 19 (GSS 2021). Recognizing this systemic challenge, UNICEF and KOICA launched the ‘Better Life for Girls’ program to transform gender norms through skills development and community engagement. Savana Signatures implemented this initiative across 80 communities, targeting the root causes of gender inequality by addressing both economic barriers and harmful cultural practices that restrict girls’ potential.
Strategy
Savana Signatures implemented a comprehensive community engagement approach to transform attitudes and behaviors regarding unpaid care work:
Community Awareness Campaigns
- Conducted targeted outreach to highlight the hidden burdens of unpaid care work
- Educated communities on the economic and social impacts of unequal distribution
Gender Norms Transformation
- Advocated for equal sharing of domestic responsibilities between men and women
- Promoted balanced care work distribution among boys and girls from childhood
Stakeholder Engagement
- Reached 1,495 community members through direct engagement
- Focused on changing perceptions about traditional gender roles in care work
Key Highlights
The initiative demonstrated significant impact:
- 96.3% of participants showed improved reproductive health knowledge
- All targeted community leaders exhibited positive attitude changes
- 500 girls acquired skills in male-dominated trades
- 80 beneficiaries gained industry experience through internships
- Established sustainable community protection networks
The program’s dual focus on individual empowerment and systemic change created lasting transformation, with structures remaining in place to continue supporting girls’ advancement after project completion.
Success Story
A major success story under this project is the story of Enyonam Ayitey, a beneficiary of this project, a barrier breaker choosing the unlikely path of building a career in a “Man’s World”. Now she paints major public and private institutions in Ghana. Click to watch Enyonam’s inspiring story