By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, May 23, GNA – The Ghana Chapter of Defence for Children International, (DCI-Ghana), an independent non-government organisation and a global movement for children’s rights, says its sustained investment in girls’ leadership and advocacy has empowered many girls and young women to confidently speak up for their rights.
The sustained investment in girls’ leadership and advocacy has also empowered the girls to participate in decision-making processes.
Ms. Faustina Osei Prempeh, Programmes Manager of DCI-Ghana, said years of advocacy under the She Leads Project had contributed significantly to influencing policies at both national and community levels, while also promoting girls’ participation in leadership and social movements.
She said the interventions had helped many girls overcome fear and begin advocating themselves on issues affecting their welfare and development.
“In the latter stages of the She Leads Project, many girls were standing up and speaking for themselves,” she stated.
Ms. Osei Prempeh was speaking during a Regional Learning and Sharing Workshop for Girls and Young Women (GYW) leaders and social movements organised by DCI-Ghana in Kumasi on the theme: “Enhancing Girls Rights through Mentorship, Advocacy and Menstrual Health Awareness.”
She explained that although the She Leads Project had ended last year, concerns emerged over how the numerous girls’ groups formed under the initiative would survive and continue their advocacy efforts.
According to her, more than 42 girls’ groups had been mobilised and engaged through the project, making sustainability a major priority for the organisation.
Ms. Osei Prempeh said DCI-Ghana subsequently secured funding support from the Valley Foundation in the Netherlands to sustain the momentum and ensure that girls continued to speak out on issues affecting them.
She said the new Girls’ Rights Project was therefore designed to build on the gains made over the years, while expanding focus beyond leadership and participation to tackling harmful social norms affecting girls.
The project, she noted, addresses issues such as child marriage, sexual violence, technology-facilitated violence, neglect and other forms of abuse against girls and young women.
A unique aspect of the initiative, she explained, was that girls themselves were being resourced and empowered to lead advocacy efforts instead of adults speaking on their behalf.
“Almost all the actions in the districts and even at the regional level are being led by the girls themselves,” she added.
Ms. Osei Prempeh said the project also incorporated direct socio-legal support services to help girls seek redress and justice whenever their rights were violated.
She noted that many girls and young women often lacked knowledge of where to seek help when confronted with abuse or rights violations, stressing that the intervention would provide guidance and support systems within the districts.
She reaffirmed DCI-Ghana’s commitment to promoting the rights, protection and empowerment of girls and young women to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
[email protected]
