Reproductive health policy formulation and implementation in Ghana: the role of women's rights advocacy groups

Research and policy debates suggest women’s rights advocacy groups have been significant in generating important social policy changes. However, in the West African context there are major gaps in research about the activities and impacts of women’s rights advocacy groups. In particular, there is little in-depth qualitative research about the perspectives and experiences of women’s rights advocates in this context; and, more specifically, about how they perceive, practice and evaluate their roles, actions and collaborations. To address these gaps, this study examined women’s rights advocacy in the field of reproductive health and promoting healthcare policies and provisions in Ghana from insider perspectives. A pertinent issue in this context is how violence against women affects women’s reproductive health which constituted a key dimension to this study. The study adopts a qualitative framework to enable participants to share their experiences as they construct their roles in the policy-making process. In total 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants including leaders of women’s rights advocacy groups, policy-makers, and UN workers. The findings indicate that women’s rights advocacy groups constructed their roles as achieving policy and social change. Their activities span problem and solution framing, legislative drafting, promoting the adoption of legislative instruments, holding the state accountable, and monitoring the implementation of policies. Further, framings of gender inequality, evidence-based advocacy and coalition-building were central to the advancement of their political activities. The study found evidence that key motivations for advocates were toward the benefit of disadvantaged groups in society. The study found women’s rights advocacy groups often sought recognition that reproductive health is a social good. The data indicated coalition dynamics and funding sources were challenges for advocacy actions. Recommendations for policy learning are made on grassroots participation in advocacy, the need for robust data, and sustained funding for women’s rights advocacy groups.