Commissioned by the International Labour Office (ILO)
CEEDR was contracted by the ILO to deliver a Study on the Legal, Policy and Regulatory Environment Governing Maternity Protection and Workers with Family Responsibilities in the formal and informal economy of Ghana.
Given the continuing high rates of maternal mortality in Ghana, it is vital that women have access to health care pre- and postnatally and have a sense of entitlement to be able to actually take up this care while also continuing to work for their livelihoods. This is crucial for the health of mothers and their babies as well as having significant economic implications.
Our work gathered in-depth multiple perspectives on maternity protection, including the needs and concerns of employers, workers, providers of maternal health care in the existing health care system and other stakeholders. This study encourages an understanding of gaps in provisions and helpful practices, within the specific regulatory and policy context. The aim is also to encourage dialogue and collaborative and participatory approaches to issues relating to health of mothers and their families as well as the sustainability of businesses. The findings show that the formal sector may be stronger on provision of paid maternity leave but the informal businesses were more supportive for creating flexible working practices postnatally, and supporting breastfeeding.
The full report can be downloaded here
