PROMOTING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH DISABILITIES IN GHANA– PERD PROJECT

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR BASELINE EVALUATION

1. Background and Rationale

Three percent of Ghanaians are classified as Persons with Disability (PWDs), as they have one form of disability or another. Generally, the percentage of Women and girls with Disability (WGDs) (3.1%) is slightly higher than males (2.9%). Educational levels differ among PWDs by sex and residence. The percentage of the WGDs with no formal education is higher than males among both urban and rural dwellers. Majority of females (58.3%) with disability in the rural areas have no formal education compared with 40.7% of their male counterparts.(2010 Population and Housing Census Report on People with Disabilities).Unemployment amongst Ghanaian females estimated by ILO through modelling indicated 6.83 as of 2019. Its highest value over the past 28 years was 10.78 in 1999, while its lowest value was 4.73 in 2007.

In terms of life outcomes, PWDs have been identified to have some of the worst outcomes in health, education, economic and work activity participation, and higher rates of poverty and vulnerability (WHO & World Bank 2011). According to Ghana’s 2010 Population and Housing Census, barriers and challenges disabled people encounter in their routine lives are far greater than those encountered by abled individuals. These obstacles have been identified to manifest through difficulties in accessing health, education, transportation and employment. WGDs suffer more than from lack of these services than their male counterparts, because of stigmatization and discrimination against the female gender. The report further identified inadequate policies and standards, stigma and discrimination with exacerbating factors.

In light of the significant challenges, PWDs including WGDs living in Ghana face, various laws and policies have been enacted to protect them from the barrier of stigma, exploitation of and discrimination. A key law in this direction is the, Disability Act (715) which notes that:A person shall not discriminate against, exploit or subject a person with disability to abusive or degrading treatment. An employer shall not discriminate against a prospective employee or an employee on grounds of disability unless the disability is in respect of the relevant employment. An employer shall not post or transfer a person with disability to a Section or place of the establishment not suited for the person. Where a person in employment suffers a disability as a result of the employment, the employer shall counsel, re-train and re-deploy the person to another Sections more suited to the person with disability and this shall be in addition to any other relief which the employee is entitled to under the Workmen’s Compensation Law, 1987 (PNDCL). The Ministry shall through the public employment centres, assist to secure jobs for WGDs (Disability Act, 715).

Despite the existence of laws such as the Disability Act and many other polices, the PWDs especially WGDs still suffer from stigma, exploitation and discrimination which limits their ability to participate in any economic venture. WGDs are not empowered with skills to compete with abled individuals mainly because of lack of specialized services including training institutes (specialized vocational training center), health facilities, rehabilitation centres etc. WGDs that are fortunate to gain employment suffer from lower pay packages due to discrimination.

2.  Project Outline

Frame work of the Project

3.  Purpose of the Baseline Evaluation

The purpose of the baseline is to assess and measure the current situation in the promotion of  the fundamental human rights of WGDs particularly support for their rights to employment and  protection from Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the project implementation sites

The following are key evaluation question to be considered

• To what extent is an enabling environment created that supports the elimination of violence against WGDs
• To what extent are WGDs empowered to pursue better economic opportunities
• To what extent is the Socio-cultural, political and legal environment improved for WGDs to be employed in deserving jobs
• To what extent are WGD knowledgeable and aware of their fundamental human rights
• To what extent is the socio-cultural, political and legal environment  supportive of WGDs empowerment, and protection against SGBV
• To what extent is the policy environment supportive for the employment of WGDs in public and private sector in Ghana
• What is the status of implementation of the 3% allocation of the District Assembly Common Fund dedicated to PWD in the Implementing districts 
• What kind of assistive devices are of principal need for WGD

4.   Scope of the Assessment

Tasks and Responsibilities

One consultant (main evaluator) will be recruited to undertake the baseline. Based upon the review of proposals submitted, the main evaluator identified will work jointly with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of PPAG. Throughout the research period, the evaluator is requested to carry out the following work in close consultation with the PPAG M&E team and PERD project management to attend the team meetings( virtual and physical) whenever requested.