Shadow of justice: review on women’s struggle against gender-based violence in Ghana and South Africa

Ghana and South Africa, though distinct in trajectories, share a common commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. This review explores women’s struggle against gender-based violence, contextualizing them within each country’s distinct historical, sociocultural, and legal contexts. A meta-analysis and feminist approach, integrated with historical narratives, legal frameworks, and sociocultural analyses are employed to provide a nuanced understanding of women’s struggle in both countries. Struggles by women’s rights movements against gender-based violence in Ghana reveal a rich tapestry of activism, marked by the resilience of numerous individuals and groups. From the pre-independence struggles to contemporary advocacy, Ghana’s trajectory showcases the transformative power of collective action against gender-based violence. However, challenges rooted in socio-economic and political systems, cultural norms, and institutional barriers persist. In South Africa, the apartheid legacy significantly shaped the nature of women’s rights struggles. The intersectionality of race and gender forms a complex backdrop against which activism has flourished. Landmark legal reforms have catalyzed progress, yet gaps persist, particularly in the realm of implementation. Obstacles faced by both nations include gaps in enforcement, the influence of patriarchal norms, and the need for inclusive policy measures. The review underscores the importance of context-specific approaches in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women in the pursuit of justice while offering valuable insights and directions for policymakers, activists, and scholars working toward gender equality in both countries. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.