In a major step forward in the fight against poverty, on the 23rd of February 2024, the investigators of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Plus Integrated Social Services (LEAP+ISS) study disseminated the findings of the project to relevant stakeholders.
The event which was held at Mum Hotel – Tamale, brought together major stakeholders nationwide to deliberate on the findings of the evaluation of the innovative interventions and community initiatives of the LEAP+ISS programme towards alleviating economic hardship among vulnerable families and its accompanying factors.
The national head for the LEAP programme, Dr. Myles Ongoh in a welcome address stated, “You have seen what great contributions these interventions have made and can make in improving the situation of vulnerable people. They have gone to the field and fortunately they have been able to look at various valuables that are important and we are here today to listen to them to see what can be done.” He urged the stakeholders to use the findings to improve the delivery of the service for better results and entreated them to support the recommendations in order to strengthen the LEAP+ISS initiatives nationwide for a better livelihood for vulnerable people under the programme.
The LEAP program offers financial assistance to households facing extreme poverty, specifically those with at least one elderly or disabled member, orphaned or vulnerable children, pregnant women, or children under the age of five. The LEAP+ISS program on the other side is aimed at strengthening the linkages between key services for vulnerable people thereby ensuring synergy between social protection services, social welfare, community development, public health and health insurance, at a decentralized level.
The LEAP+SS program study led by Dr. Raymond Aborigo, lead investigator from the Navrongo Health Research Centre, Barington Clare of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Dr. Akaligaung is being conducted at the Tolon and Kumbungu Districts in the Northern Region, Afigya Kwabre South District and Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region, as well as the Adentan and the La-Nkwantanang Municipal Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region.
Discussions during the event centered on results on key perspectives from informants and participants on the impact of LEAP+SS program on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). It was brought to the fore that the implementation of the LEAP+ISS program has yielded significant positive impacts on intimate partner violence within beneficiary households, notably improving the lives of LEAP households and alleviating poverty-related stress. One prominent effect has been a reduction in friction between spouses regarding household financial commitments, as access to cash transfers, free National Health Insurance, and free education for children has lessened economic strain. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on saving and investment has seen a mitigation in financial vulnerabilities. Consequently, poverty is becoming less of a prominent factor contributing to Intimate Partner Violence. Moreover, the appointment of women leaders (magazias) within the program signifies a broader commitment to gender empowerment and community leadership, further contributing to the overall positive impact on household dynamics and Intimate Partner Violence reduction.
In another statement, national head for the LEAP program, Dr. Ongoh addressing the forum stated, “what I know is that the LEAP Programme is interested in giving cash to vulnerable people and also interested in some specific things like school enrolment, maternal issues and others. Little did we know that issues about Intimate Partner Violence can be a focus and the fact that they have always been looking for gaps in the delivery of these social protection and to bring out those gaps for us to discuss for me is commendable” He concluded by entreating stakeholders present to participate fully and expressing enthusiasm and support for initiatives that will arise during the deliberation.
Despite the positive intentions and potential impact of the LEAP+ISS program, the findings have indicated that several barriers have hindered its effectiveness in addressing intimate partner violence within beneficiary households. One significant challenge is the lack of adequate training for frontline workers and partners involved in the implementation of the program. The absence of comprehensive training may impede their ability to sensitively and effectively address issues related to Intimate Partner Violence. Poor coordination among various stakeholders is another obstacle, as it can lead to inefficiencies and gaps in delivering essential services. Additionally, the insufficient recognition of violence within households poses a challenge, as identifying and addressing these issues requires a nuanced understanding. Interference from traditional authorities and religious leaders may further impede progress, as cultural barriers and resistance may hinder the implementation of interventions aimed at reducing IPV. The insecurity of implementers in certain areas poses a threat to the program’s success, limiting their ability to reach and support vulnerable populations. Furthermore, a lack of community support may undermine the effectiveness of the program, as community engagement is crucial for sustained positive outcomes. Finally, the cost associated with reporting, including expenses related to medical forms and transport, creates financial barriers that may deter individuals from seeking help or reporting incidents of violence. Addressing these barriers is essential to enhancing the overall impact and success of the LEAP+ISS program in mitigating intimate partner violence
During the forum, various stakeholders and representatives of the institutions involved in the programme expressed a collective commitment to scaling up these initiatives and collaborating to implement evidence-based strategies to make the program more resilient and supportive to vulnerable people. This they believe will ultimately help reduce Intimate Partner Violence and improve their standard of living of most families.
Stakeholders in attendance included health promotion officers from Ghana Health Service, representatives from the department of social welfare, officers from Ghana police service, district focal persons, representatives from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Units, representatives from National Health Insurance, representatives from Norsaac, officials from UNICEF and representatives from the Northern Regional Coordinating Council.
The dissemination of the LEAP+ISS evaluation findings from the select communities is a step forward in helping the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection to better implement the programs initiatives to reduce poverty and lessen the burdens of vulnerable people in the country.