By Jones Anlimah
To promote gender equality and reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women, Plan International Ghana, through its Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV) project, has engaged fathers in the Koensim community under the Responsible Engaged and Loving (REAL) Fathers initiative.
The program aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.
The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Jasikan Municipal Departments of Social Welfare, Health, and Education, seeks to reshape traditional caregiving roles by encouraging men to take an active part in household responsibilities and childcare.
The REAL Fathers Club, which was formed in April 2024, currently has 24 members, primarily crop farmers, who meet twice a month to discuss positive masculinity and share experiences on gender-responsive parenting. The group focuses on encouraging fathers to participate in tasks such as cooking, helping children with homework, and taking them to school, as well as supporting their spouses in daily household chores.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Nicab Yakubu Jonathan, a member of the REAL Fathers Club in Koensim, acknowledged the transformation it has brought to their community.
“A real father is a responsible, engaged, loving, and caring father. We were on our own, leaving the burden on our wives, sisters, and mothers. But when this initiative came, we realised that we had lost our way as fathers. Now, we help our families by sending corn to the mill, fetching firewood, and even washing dishes and sweeping. We also take care of our children—bathing them, preparing their breakfast, and sending them to school,” he said.
The initiative has yielded positive outcomes, with more men in the community recognising the importance of shared caregiving responsibilities. The increased involvement of fathers in household duties has not only reduced the workload on women but has also fostered stronger family bonds and a more harmonious home environment for children to thrive.
Plan International Ghana and its partners remain committed to advocating for gender equality and ensuring that men play a more active role in creating safe and supportive households, in line with global efforts to promote sustainable development and social inclusion.
