By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Dec. 31, GNA – Defence for Children International Ghana (DCI-Ghana), has held its general assembly meeting for 2024 to take stock of activities for the year as implementers of the “She Leads Project”.
The meeting which was held in Kumasi and attended by members of the Assembly reviewed the implementation of the ‘She Leads Project,’ which is the organisation’s flagship programme which seeks to increase sustained influence of girls and young women in decision-making.
Among issues discussed by the assembly included governance, finances, administration, staffing, and projects being implemented by DCI-Ghana with emphasis on the ‘She Leads Project.’
During the year under review, DCI-Ghana provided socio-legal protective services for 12 abused children under child maintenance, truancy, custody, and defilement.
It also facilitated dialogue and lobbying meetings with 15 civil society organisations on gender equality and girls and young women’s rights while strengthening social movement building.
About 20 government officials and one political party were also engaged, as part of efforts to promote women’s rights in 2024.
Public campaigns implemented by DCI-Ghana and its partners as part of the implementation of the ‘She Leads Project’ also reached an estimated 400,000 households.
Various training and sensitisation programmes conducted during the year benefitted 20 government officials, 550 girls and young women advocates, as well as nine female leaders from tertiary institutions.
Prof. George Oppong Appiagyei Ampong, Executive Director of DCI-Ghana, said the implementation of the ‘She Leads Project,’ which in is its fourth year had made tremendous impact in terms of building the confidence of girls and young women.
He said despite the successes achieved so far, the project had encountered a couple of challenges, especially during the post-Covid period.
According to him, DCI-Ghana through innovative strategies managed to mobilise girls and young women who were the most vulnerable of the Covid impact.
“We were able to mobilise our girls and young women, train them, build their capacity, self-esteem and confidence and now they are empowered to stand for their rights,” he stated.
He spoke about the establishment of a social movement of girls and young women to champion the cause of gender equality.
Prof. Ampong particularly touted the inclusion of girls and young women in decision-making by district assemblies, saying that, it was the way to go in building an inclusive society.
GNA