"Transforming lives: Unraveling stakeholders’ dynamics and coordination strategies in intervention programs for the empowerment of Kayayei in Ghana"

This research paper delves into the complexities of the coordination of intervention for Kayayei, a marginalized group of women and girls hailing predominantly from Northern Ghana. Kayayei migrate to urban cities to often seek economic opportunities but face numerous challenges, including exploitation, discrimination, and limited access to basic services. This paper uses a multifaceted approach, incorporating agency and empowerment, intersectionality, hegemonic masculinity, and the concept of modern-day slavery to expound on the contextual complexities of their experiences. The research centers on an exploration of the roles and interactions of diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, international development partners, community leaders and the Kayayei themselves. It aims to identify underlying factors, systemic barriers, and institutional challenges that hinder effective coordination of intervention programs for the Kayayei. The paper underscores the significance of holistic, short-term and long-term strategies for sustainable change, recognizing that the transformation of the Kayayei's lives extends beyond economic empowerment to encompass issues of gender justice, cultural schemas, institutional leadership, stereotypes, modern day slavery, and systems cordination. Findings revealed that the absence of government-led coordination, communication barriers, inter-ethnic conflicts, influence of gatekeepers, lack of an updated and efficient database on the Kayayei and a dearth of data-sharing mechanisms impede effective stakeholder collaborations. The influence of hegemonic masculinity and stereotypes reinforces gender disparities, contributing to the vulnerabilities of the Kayayei. Furthermore, the research identifies links to modern-day slavery, specifically in cases of forced labor and human trafficking, underscoring the urgency of comprehensive intervention programs and policy reforms for their protection. It concludes with a set of pragmatic recommendations, advocating for the continuous momentum in intervention programs, cultural sensitivity, tailored approaches, and a collective effort in combating the various barriers encountered by the Kayayei. It emphasizes the need for concerted action in addressing the complex issues these women and girls face, underscoring that their empowerment hinges on the transformative coordination of all stakeholders.