Submission ID 118432
| Issue/Objective | Persistent disparities in water access and economic vulnerability continue to disproportionately affect women across sub-Saharan Africa, undermining their agency and participation in leadership and decision-making processes. This study examines the extent to which integrated social protection and water security interventions can promote women's empowerment and foster inclusive leadership. Specifically, it assesses the role of Ghana's Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) cash transfer programme, in combination with complementary access to water services, in enhancing women's autonomy, influence over household resource allocation, and community engagement. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A quantitative, cross-sectional study was undertaken across eight rural communities in three administrative districts of Ghana. A total of 1,200 households-equally divided between LEAP beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries-were surveyed. The Empowerment in WASH Index was employed to measure levels of women's participation in water-related decision-making, control over resources, and involvement in collective activities. The analysis further explored the relationship between cash transfers and time poverty linked to domestic water collection, a significant constraint on women's economic and social engagement. |
| Results | The analysis indicates that LEAP beneficiary households were associated with improved water security and higher levels of women's participation in key household decisions concerning water use and management. These households also demonstrated reduced time burdens related to water access, which in turn facilitated greater involvement by women in livelihood and communal activities. Non-beneficiary households, by contrast, exhibited more frequent disruptions in water access and lower levels of female decision-making authority. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Findings underscore the synergistic potential of linking social protection schemes with water infrastructure improvements to advance women's empowerment and inclusive governance. The evidence suggests that cash transfer programmes, when complemented by interventions addressing water-related barriers, can enhance women's agency, reduce structural inequalities, and promote broader participation in local governance and economic activities. These insights inform policy frameworks that aim to achieve gender-equitable outcomes and health-related development goals across sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Urbanus Azupogo School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, 28 Division Street, Queen's University Elijah Bisung School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, 28 Division Street, Queen's University Ophelia Soliku 2Simon Diedoung Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) Myles Ongoh Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Accra, Ghana |
