The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman has called on all stakeholders to commit to taking concrete steps to empower every girl.
This was while commemorating International Day of the Girl Child on Friday, On October 11,2024.
Ghana joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child under the theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future”.
This significant day was adopted in 2011, by the United Nations’ General Assembly through the UN Resolution 66/170 declaring October 11, as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
In Ghana, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through the Department of Children organised a forum bringing together female students from various schools, stakeholders to share their dreams, ideas, and leadership potential, emphasizing the importance of girls’ perspectives in shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
The celebration was also to highlight the disproportionate impact of crises like climate change, conflict, poverty, and inequality on girls and advocate for urgent action to address these issues.
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Speaking at the programme, Dakoa Newman noted that despite facing numerous challenges, girls continue to demonstrate courage, resilience, and hope.
She said they envision a future where they are protected, respected, and empowered, also, a future where their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and their contributions are valued.
However, Dakoa Newman was of the view that girls cannot achieve this vision alone, adding that they need the support of all stakeholders, resources, and opportunities to thrive.
“It is our collective responsibility to listen to their voices, invest in their education, and provide them with the platforms to lead,” she stated.
Again, the Gender Minister noted that when girls are given the chance to succeed, the impact is profound, noting that families, communities, and the entire nation benefit.
“As we celebrate today, let us commit to taking concrete steps to empower every girl. Let us work together to create a world where every girl can fulfill her potential and contribute to a brighter, more equitable future. let us continue to champion the rights and dreams of girls everywhere,” she stated.
To the girls, she urged them to be themselves, find what is unique about them and thrive on it.
Also, she advised them to learn from those they desire to be like in future, adding that whatever they learn from their mentors or role models will go a long way to help them in future if they face challenges.
In all, the Minister encouraged them to have a strong belief in their God and pray, noting that in times of challenges, God will come through for those who seek him.
For her part, a Midwife and Mentor, Mrs Dorothy Oforiwaa Owusu encouraged women to be bold, determined and focused despite the challenges they face.
She also advised girls to learn hard and take their studies seriously so that they can also achieve greater heights achieved by men.
Again, she observed that when women and men seek support, especially from NGO’s to embark on projects, the men are mostly given the support due to stereotypes against women.
She pleaded with NGOs to give women all the necessary support they need when they go to them for it, adding that women are very capable.
Sharing some of the challenges girls face, some of the girls mentioned that men try to take advantage of girls sexually and called on men to put a stop to it and allow school girls to focus on their education.
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Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
