IDG: Prioritise protection of young girls -Speakers
Plan International Ghana, a child centred NGO marked this year’s International Day of the Girl (IDG) in Accra last Friday with a call on the public to prioritise the protection of young girls.
October 11 is globally recognised as the IDG, a day dedicated to celebrating the potential of girls and advocating their rights. This observance highlights the need for equal opportunities and support, enabling girls to fully participate in social, economic, and political spheres.
It also serves as a reminder of the barriers they face and the global commitment to empowering them to reach their full potential.
Speaking at the occasion, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Mr Constant Tchona, indicated that as an independent humanitarian and development organisation, his outfit was committed to promoting and advancing the rights of children, young people and communities with a special focus on achieving equality for girls.
He mentioned that by amplifying adolescent voices and ensuring stakeholder accountability, “we can create a more inclusive and responsive environment for the next generation.”
As part of activities to mark this year’s IDG, he revealed that Plan International Ghana began with social media posts emphasising the significance of the day, hosted a boot camp for more than 100 girls who were mentored in areas such as STEM and career development and engaged the media with selected girls leading discussions on several platforms.
“We also had a 14-year-old girl, symbolically taking over the position of the board chairman of the National Peace Council. This highlighted the critical role that young girls can play in peacebuilding and leadership,” he added.
According to Mr Tchona, it was also very important for girls to receive maximum protection during conflicts because such situations rob children and young people of their childhood.
Girls in conflict prone areas, he said, urgently need psychological support, which is often scarce or unavailable.
He said, “Girls are not affected by conflict in the same way as boys. They have different needs, both practically and emotionally.”
“Gender profoundly shapes how conflict is experienced, and girls pay a high price as conflict-related violence disproportionately affects them.”
He, therefore, underscored the need for the governments and stakeholders around the world to take immediate action for girls in conflict.
This, he noted, includes implementing cease fires, engaging in meaningful peace talks, and ensuring that girls and young people’s voices are heard, and their needs are met.
In her remarks National Director, World Vision Ghana, Laura Christina Valle, added that despite the acknowledgment of the IDG, there remained a significant amount of work to be done to enhance the lives of girls.
Explaining, she mentioned that it was essential to emphasise the importance of listening to the voices of girls and investing in well-established solutions that could expedite progress towards a future where every girl can realise her full potential and emerge as a leader.
The event was graced by dignitaries including representatives from the UNICEF, Ghana ARMED Forces (GAF), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Judicial Service, National Peace Council and the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
