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.
