Lean Research Case Study: Collaborative Learning Workshop with Feminist and Women’s Groups in Northern Ghana

The research employed the four R's of Lean Research: relevance, respect, right-sizing, and rigor. The study sought to identify the capacities and skills gaps among the leadership of feminist groups and provide insights into the challenges faced by women's advocacy groups in the region. The research used a purposive sampling technique to select participants based on their line of work and experience in women's empowerment. Focus-group discussions were conducted in four locations: Tamale, Tamale, Bolgat, and Bolgat, with a total of 200 participants engaging in 20 focus groups across four regions. The goals of the study were to review feminist and women's groups' approaches to advocacy, determine their primary concerns, and gain a better understanding of the unique obstacles faced by feminist organizations and groups. The study revealed that funding was a major issue for the activities of feminist and women's advocacy groups in the region. Many groups struggled to obtain funding from international organizations due to a lack of knowledge on proposal writing and proposal documentation. The results of the study were used to formulate a guidebook for community engagement for feminist and women's advocacy groups operating in the Upper West, Upper East, and Northern regions of Ghana. The Lean Research principles helped the research team to select objectives that prioritized relevant data collection and impact the livelihoods of people in the area, particularly women. The respondents were involved in setting the scope of the research, rather than the researchers imposing their own preferences. The study also aimed to create value for the respondents and stakeholders by collecting data that could be used to create a valuable guidebook for their future advocacy. The research team employed the Lean Research principles to create more value for the respondents and stakeholders by collecting data that could be used to create a valuable guidebook for their future advocacy. The respondents were involved in setting the scope of the research, and the data was collected in a way that respected their time and experience. The research team also ensured the integrity of the data by selecting participants based on their previous and current work in women's empowerment. The study's findings were used to develop a guidebook for community engagement for feminist and women's advocacy groups operating in the Upper West, Upper East, and Northern regions of Ghana. The guidebook addressed funding issues and provided strategies for writing proposals and producing documentation. The research team also incorporated the Lean Research principles to develop innovative ways to mitigate the challenges faced by feminist advocacy groups in the Northern Ghanaian context. The Lean Research approach made the data collection more delightful and respectful for the respondents, rather than making the experience of being a research subject a restrictive and interrogative encounter. The study's findings were used to develop a guidebook for community engagement for feminist and women's advocacy groups operating in the Upper West, Upper East, and Northern regions of Ghana. The guidebook addressed funding issues and provided strategies for writing proposals and producing documentation. The research team's experience with the Lean Research approach was positive, and they intend to incorporate more respondents outside the selected respondents and integrate their perspectives on a particular issue in the future. The team also plans to include some of the girls within the study area to share their experiences on the topic. The study's findings and recommendations can be accessed by contacting Joachim Danbo at [email protected].