The Livelihood Project

Title of Event: Training on Gender roles and responsiveness and Family Planning 

Objective: To make sure the women understand what gender stereotypes are and how to be empowered. Additionally, for them to understand how family planning works and the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of contraceptive.

Venue: Sesame Church – The World of Liberty Ministry  

Procedure:

9:00 AM – DEPARTURE: Departure of AFAWI Interns Adenta, Ghana to Sesame Church – The World of Liberty Ministry  

09.45– TEAM ARRIVAL AT SESAME CHURCH – THE WORLD OF LIBERTY MINISTRY 

10:00-10:30AM – REGISTRATION START WITH SIOBHAN, HANNAH, KAYLA, AND HALA 

10:30AM-10:05AM: Kayla begins with an opening prayer. 

10:05-11:00AM HANNAH GOES THROUGH THE PRE AND POST QUESTIONNAIRES 

11:00-12:00 PM GENDER ROLES AND ROSPONSIVENESS PRESENTATION BEGIN – Hannah starts the presentation and went through stereotypical gender roles and how they are constructed by society. Kayla takes over halfway through and goes through some case study examples and women’s empowerment. Most of the women had a good understanding of what stereotypical gender roles are and had their own thoughts and opinions about them. When Kayla went through the case studies, many of the women were willing to contribute their thoughts about the scenarios given.  Throughout the presentation Jennifer translated.

12:00 PM – 13:00 PM – SIOBAN AND HALA BEGIN PRESENTATION ON FAMILY PLANNING

Siobhan and Hala both presented the family planning presentation intermittently. Throughout this presentation a lot of discussion was had over the different types of contraception. Also, a lot of discussion was had over different sexual experiences and partners. The majority of women in this group had the implant so they spoke about whether they had suffered any side effects from it or not. Throughout the presentation Jennifer translated.

13:15 AM – 13:20 PM– CLOSING: One of the women closed the session with a closing prayer. 

13:20 AM – 13:30 PM – COMPLETION ON TNT FORMS AND LUNCH: Hala and Jennifer completed the TNT information for the participants. Naa provided lunch to all women and AFAWI team. Then we said goodbye. 

14:15 PM – DEPARTURE OF AFAWI TEAM TO ADENTA OFFICE, GHANA

Summary

The third Livelihood training session on Gender Roles and Responsiveness and Family Planning was relatively successful. The reason for this is that the training itself was informative and well-presented, however only eleven out of the twenty women attended and there was a power cut ten minutes into the first presentation. Despite these setbacks, the delivery of information was clear and well understood, and all the women were very attentive and inquisitive. Throughout both presentations, there was a chance for the women to engage by participating in activities and discussions surrounding the topics of the training. The majority of women contributed their thoughts and opinions. The topic which sparked the most debate was the different types of contraception methods; it was nice to see how open the women were when discussing what type of contraception they have used or were using and which methods they would not like to try, e.g female condoms. The women were also provided with information regarding STI’s including how they are transmitted and where to get tested. 

From the responses and engagement the women gave towards the end of the gender roles presentation, it clearly showed that they had a good understanding of what gender stereotypes are and how women can be empowered. Additionally, after much discussion surrounding the different contraception methods it seemed like the whole group were now aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. 

Links:

• More information on this project here