Social Movement on Girls and Young Women’s Rights launched

Social Movement on Girls and Young Women’s Rights launched

Kumasi, June 16, GNA – Defence for Children International (DCI) Ghana, a child rights advocacy non-governmental organisation and its partners have launched a Regional Social Movement for Girls and Young Women in Kumasi.

The Movement which seeks to raise awareness on the obstacle that girls face in their daily lives, forms part of the “She Leads Project” being implemented in six regions including Ashanti, Central, Greater Accra, Upper East, North East, and Western North.
“She Leads” is an initiative of Plan International Netherlands, Defence for Children International – ECPAT the Netherlands (DCIECPAT), African Women’s Development and Communication Network, and Terre des Hommes the Netherlands with funding support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is aimed at increasing sustained influence of girls and young women on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions. In Ghana, the project is being implemented by four consortium partners, including Defence for Children International Ghana, Plan International Ghana, Gender Centre for Empowering Development, and Women Aspire Network. Six Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Ashanti Region, including Kumasi Metro, Asante-Akim North, Bosome Freho, Bosomtwe, Asokore Mampong, and Obuasi are benefiting from the project through DCI Ghana, Rights and Responsibilities Initiatives Ghana, and Erudite Women’s Empowerment Foundation. The launch of the Regional Movement, among other things, seeks to advocate a shift in existing gender norms to help create a more favourable political environment for girls and young women to participate in decision-making processes. It wants Traditional and Religious leaders, District Assemblies and Unit Committees to play important roles in encouraging people to change their attitudes and beliefs on the traditional gender and age role division.
Ms Lovia Appiagyei Sarpong, President of the Movement called for more room to be created by the government for girls’ and
women’s activism in various forms. “Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies should create a budget in the assembly’s composite budget to support girls and young women’s participation in leadership and decision-making,” she appealed. Civil Society Organisations, she said, must encourage dialogue with between adult and younger activists and explore ways young people could work with and benefit from older activists and groups. She said increased visibility of girl activists and leaders would challenge stereotypes and social expectations about the
gendered nature of political leadership and representation. The Movement believed that increased representation and participation of girls and young women in leadership roles and community decision-making in formal and informal institutions would enhance their aspirations and attitudes about roles for themselves and other girls and young women.

Source: GNA