NGO calls for more investment in girl-child

Hope For Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organization based in Accra, is calling for more investment in the girl-child to ensure equal opportunities for young girls in the country.

On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, the NGO noted that, although women make up the majority of most populations in the world, very little is being done to address the disadvantages and discrimination borne by girls.

According to the 2014, Ghana Living Standards Survey’s Child Labour Report, “The proportion of females (5.6%) who have never attended school is higher than males (5.7%). The Ghana Statistical Service (2014) also indicates that the school attendance rates for males are higher than for females and the differences become more noticeable with increasing age.

The total attendance rates recorded for males and females in the age group 6-11 years, are 93.3 percent and 92.6 percent respectively, compared with 93.4 percent for males, and 90.6 percent for females 19-25 years.

HFFG said “This is even more pronounced for females in the age group 19-25 years in the rural savannah where a very low rate of 53.2 percent is recorded. These statistics indicate that more effort is needed not only in sending female children to school but, more importantly, also ensuring that they stay in school. Again, in Ghana, unemployment is highest among females between the ages of 15-25 (GSS, August 2014). Whilst about 52% of people aged 15-24 were employed (compared to about 90% for the 25-64 population), a third were in school, 14% were inactive and 4% were unemployed actively looking for job.”

It expressed worry that women and girls in the country continue to be the victims of negative cultural practices and are more adversely affected by HIV/AIDS, sexual abuse, child marriages, and other reproductive health rights issues.

It also called on various stakeholders to collaborate to ensure girls and women in Ghana enjoy equal opportunities as targeted by the United Nations.

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana