Challenging Heights and its national implementation partners of the Child Domestic Workers’ project, LAWA Ghana on 4th April 2023 organized a dissemination meeting at Mumford in the Gomoa West District with its stakeholders to discuss the findings of an end line survey conducted.
The meeting which saw the presence of reps of the Social Welfare and Community Development Department of the Gomoa West District Assembly, Opinion Leaders, Religious Leaders, Assembly members, Employers of the Child Domestic Workers, Community Child Protection Committee members, and some of the child domestic workers themselves was to give a report on the progress of the project.
According to Mr. Enoch Pufaa, Director of Programs at Challenging Heights, this will aid in finding gaps in the work already done and aid in making plans for the coming year. The project’s whole goal must be achieved, he continued, thus it is important for all stakeholders to recognize and appreciate their role in contributing to the project’s success.
On behalf of Challenging Heights, Miss Joyce Abena Annan led a discussion on the survey results and provided details of the report. According to her, over 70% of CDWs of Gomoa West in the survey were allowed to socialize with friends, communicate with family and attend school. Even though 66% sometimes miss school because of illness, the work they do or for other reasons.
Again about 60% of CDWs feel pain or get injury as a result of work performed. About 55% of CDWs are exposed to use of sharp tools, carrying heavy load, exposure to sun for long periods and physical abuse. 50% of CDWs interviewed reported emotional abuse as a result of verbal abuse. Lastly, 63% of CDWs attest to having a reduction in workload and 90% miss school less than before, after a year of rolling the project.
Mr. Arthur of the Social Welfare department also added that by giving beneficiaries the appropriate help and support, this project has greatly aided his outfit in carrying out its duties.
He continued by saying that the project’s success to date serves as an example of what could be accomplished this year and that his organization, as a local implementing partner, is prepared to pay its fair share.
Some Child Domestic Workers who have been working on the initiative since 2021 recount the improvement in their work and general living conditions and accordingly expressed appreciation to Challenging Heights and LAWA Ghana.
