Storytelling Shifts Ghana's Gender Equality Narrative

This article draws on Mimeta’s narrative change framework to analyse the “She Leads” project as a model for using storytelling and narrative transformation to address deep-rooted gender inequalities in Ghana.

Ghana’s recent commitment to partner with Plan International’s “She Leads” project marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for gender equality. But to understand the transformative potential of this initiative, it is essential to view it through the prism of narrative change strategies—particularly those which emphasize the power of storytelling and narrative transformation as catalysts for societal progress.

Narrative Change as a Strategic Foundation
At its core, the “She Leads” project is not merely a development intervention; it is a bold narrative strategy. Mimeta’s approach to narrative change stresses that meaningful transformation requires more than policy shifts or isolated programs—it demands a reimagining of the stories societies tell about gender, power, and leadership. By supporting girls and young women to become visible agents of change, “She Leads” seeks to disrupt entrenched narratives that have historically marginalized female voices in Ghanaian society.

Project Overview: Building New Narratives
“She Leads” is a five-year initiative implemented by Plan International Ghana and local partners, targeting six regions across Ghana. Its mission is to amplify the influence of girls and young women in decision-making, challenge discriminatory gender norms, and foster a culture where female leadership is normalized and celebrated.

Crucially, the project’s strategies align with Mimeta’s narrative change framework in several ways:

  • Collaborative Storytelling: By empowering girl- and young women-led organizations, “She Leads” ensures that those most affected by gender norms are the primary narrators of their own stories. This approach mirrors Mimeta’s emphasis on involving professional partners from the arts and media to craft authentic, resonant narratives that can reach and move diverse audiences.

  • Community Engagement: The project mobilizes communities, traditional leaders, and role models, echoing Mimeta’s call for cross-sectoral participation. By embedding narrative change within the fabric of local life, “She Leads” increases the likelihood that new stories about gender equality will take root and spread.

  • Capacity Building: “She Leads” invests in training and resource development for young women and their organizations, strengthening their ability to shape public discourse and drive social change—an approach Mimeta identifies as essential for sustainable narrative transformation.

Addressing Deep-Rooted Challenges Through Narrative Impact
The difficulties “She Leads” is designed to solve are fundamentally narrative in nature:

  • Persistent Gender Norms: Deeply embedded stories about the roles and value of women and girls have limited their participation in leadership and public life. By creating platforms for girls and young women to share their experiences and aspirations, the project seeks to rewrite these narratives at both the community and national levels.

  • Socio-Economic Barriers: Economic instability and social risks such as early marriage and trafficking are often perpetuated by narratives of female vulnerability and passivity. “She Leads” counters these with stories of resilience, agency, and collective action, aiming to shift perceptions and inspire policy change.

  • Exclusion from Decision-Making: Traditional narratives have excluded girls and young women from leadership. By equipping them with advocacy skills and connecting them to decision-makers, “She Leads” is actively constructing a new narrative—one in which young women are recognized as leaders and change-makers.

From Storytelling to Societal Transformation
Mimeta’s narrative change strategy highlights the importance of moving beyond individual stories to create a “narrative ocean”—a collective, widely adopted narrative that can drive broad social change. The “She Leads” project embodies this philosophy by:

  • Fostering Networks: Building a movement of over a thousand girls and young women, the project creates a critical mass of storytellers whose shared narratives can influence public attitudes and policies.

  • Institutional Advocacy: By engaging with political institutions and advocating for gender-sensitive policies, “She Leads” ensures that narrative change is not confined to the grassroots but reaches the highest levels of governance.

  • Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Through research, policy engagement, and storytelling workshops, the project maintains a dynamic approach—constantly assessing the impact of its narratives and refining its strategies for greater effectiveness.

The Power of Narrative for Gender Equality
The partnership between the Ghanaian government and the “She Leads” project is more than an administrative milestone—it is a strategic intervention in the national narrative about gender, leadership, and power. By centring the voices and stories of girls and young women, and by aligning with proven narrative change strategies such as those formulated by Mimeta, the project has the potential to catalyse enduring social transformation. In this way, “She Leads” is not just changing lives; it is changing the story of what is possible for women and girls in Ghana.

More information on Narrativ Change Strategies:

Narrative change is powerful. In Ghana, it’s transforming lives.

Plan International's “She Leads” initiative isn’t just addressing gender inequality—it’s rewriting the story. As it looks from the perspective of Mimeta’s narrative change framework, the project amplifies the voices of girls and young women, challenges harmful gender norms, and builds inclusive leadership from the ground up. From storytelling workshops to policy advocacy, “She Leads” seems like a model for how narrative transformation can drive real, sustainable change.

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Posted
AuthorLitangen
CategoriesExploringNarrativeImpact, Narrative change
TagsGhana, “She Leads” project, Plan International