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Shadow of justice: review on women’s struggle against gender-based violence in Ghana and South Africa

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Abstract

Ghana and South Africa, though distinct in trajectories, share a common commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. This review explores women’s struggle against gender-based violence, contextualizing them within each country’s distinct historical, sociocultural, and legal contexts. A meta-analysis and feminist approach, integrated with historical narratives, legal frameworks, and sociocultural analyses are employed to provide a nuanced understanding of women’s struggle in both countries. Struggles by women’s rights movements against gender-based violence in Ghana reveal a rich tapestry of activism, marked by the resilience of numerous individuals and groups. From the pre-independence struggles to contemporary advocacy, Ghana’s trajectory showcases the transformative power of collective action against gender-based violence. However, challenges rooted in socio-economic and political systems, cultural norms, and institutional barriers persist. In South Africa, the apartheid legacy significantly shaped the nature of women’s rights struggles. The intersectionality of race and gender forms a complex backdrop against which activism has flourished. Landmark legal reforms have catalyzed progress, yet gaps persist, particularly in the realm of implementation. Obstacles faced by both nations include gaps in enforcement, the influence of patriarchal norms, and the need for inclusive policy measures. The review underscores the importance of context-specific approaches in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women in the pursuit of justice while offering valuable insights and directions for policymakers, activists, and scholars working toward gender equality in both countries.

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Acknowledgements

This publication was made possible (in part) by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the Future Africa Research Leader Fellowship (FAR-LeaF) Programme at the University of Pretoria.

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  1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-Water Research Institute), Accra, Ghana

    Prosper Bazaanah

  2. Future Africa Institute, University of Pretoria, Hillcrest Campus, Pretoria, 0186, South Africa

    Prosper Bazaanah

  3. Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Pride Ngcobo

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The idea for the article was conceived by Prosper Bazaanah. Both Prosper Bazaanah and Pride Ngcobo contributed equally to the conceptualization, writing the draft, reviewing, and editing of the paper. Prosper Bazaanah acquired funds for the project and publication of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Bazaanah, P., Ngcobo, P. Shadow of justice: review on women’s struggle against gender-based violence in Ghana and South Africa. SN Soc Sci 4, 126 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00926-5

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