Challenging unequal gender-based power relations in sexual and reproductive health: A case study of SEND Ghana's eastern corridor livelihood security promotion program (ECLSPP)

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Masters
Title Challenging unequal gender-based power relations in sexual and reproductive health: A case study of SEND Ghana's eastern corridor livelihood security promotion program (ECLSPP)
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2009
URL http://thesis.eur.nl/pub/6523/Wekem_Raymond_Avatim_PPSD.pdf
Abstract
There has been a growing recognition for the need to address issues of unequal gender-based power relations in sexual and reproductive health at the research, policy and programming levels. This is because sexuality and gender are key issues that determine demographic and reproductive health behaviours in all societies, contributing to poor health outcomes of both women and men and aggravating the reproductive health lives and well-being of women. As such, the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing recommended that sexual and reproductive health programs and policies be designed to empower women to manage their sexuality safely and effectively and involve men to play positive, proactive and responsible roles in promoting their health and that of their families. Through a case study of SEND Ghana‘s Eastern Corridor Livelihood Security Program, this research paper explores how Non-Governmental Organisations‘ (NGOs) programs work to empower women and involve men to promote gender equity in sexual and reproductive health. This study was undertaken by analysing SEND Ghana program documents and in-depth field interviews held with staff members, program beneficiaries and community members in the organisation‘s program area. Analysis using the men‘s involvement approach shows that programs that actively involve men enhance their ability to overcome socio-cultural factors which reinforce dominant notions of masculinity. This improves communication between partners and men‘s support with regards to decisions on women‘s sexuality and reproductive health. Using the women‘s empowerment framework, it was realised that empowering women has the ability to increase their confidence level to discuss issues of sex with their partners and to independently make decisions pertaining to their sexual and reproductive health rights and wellbeing. However, it was noticed that men felt alienated and threatened as they were left out in the program despite the changes in women‘s well-being. This paper therefore argues that a women‘s empowerment approach needs to be reinforced by involving men, since the active involvement of men will result in the attainment of the best possible sexual and reproductive health outcomes for both women and men. It also argues that since empowerment can result in an increase in the demand for sexual and reproductive health services, there is the need to cater for the provision of these services to meet the potential demand. Further, research is recommended to understand how other institutions like government and service providers are addressing unequal gender-based power relations in sexual and reproductive health

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