Babanayaa – Improving the Well-Being of Rural Women and Girls in Ghana

This project aims to improve the well-being of women and girls in 30 rural communities in Ghana’s northern and Brong Ahafo regions including their food security health safety and social standing. The word “Babanayaa” translates to “one day they will see that we have changed”. Project activities include: (1) increasing income with agricultural (peanut) and livestock (goat) production and improving market access; (2) supporting young women to attend primary and secondary school to increase their level of education; (3) helping women participate more fully in community decision-making; (4) training women cooperative leaders and agriculture officers in financial management and skills for a healthy future to better advocate for their well-being these skills include sexual and reproductive health hygiene and safe food preparation and human rights; and (5) training community responsibility-bearers in gender-responsive justice land use and environmental care giving them an increased ability to protect women’s rights. The project seeks to help 1 500 women (750 vulnerable women) attain greater well-being. Ghana Rural Integrated Development implements Babanayaa in collaboration with the Northern Empowerment Association.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased participation in sustainable productive work by 1 500 women in 30 communities in rural northern Ghana; and (2) improved participation in equitable household and community decision-making by women in 30 communities in rural northern Ghana.