Bertha Badu-Agyei/Eugenia Otenwaa
Accra, Dec 2, GNA – Over 100 students of the Hijaz Islamic basic school at Korle-Gono, has been sensitised on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) issues to help them recognise and respond to abuse in their communities.
The initiative forms part of the United States Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Award Project to empower young Boys and Girls in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence.
Ms Regina Asamoah, a multiple award-winning journalist and Founder of Missing Children, observed that GBV in schools and communities was stifling children’s potential and pleasant childhood experiences.
She underscored the importance of equipping young people especially students with the knowledge to be able to empower them to break cultural norms which tended to silence voices and hid violence.
Prof. Samuel Kojo Kwofie, Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana, explained the dangers of cyberbullying, sextortion, deepfake and cyberstalking and advised students against sharing content online to avoid victimization.
He noted that GBV occurring online was an emerging trend and harmful phenomenon for school children and called for policies and strategies to address the growing menace.
Dr Dzifa Abra Attah, a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, led students in a practical session on emotional resilience and urged them to seek guidance from trusted adults like their teachers when dealing with GBV-related issues.
Mrs Ellen Adjaye-Gyamfi, Headmistress of Hijaz Islamic Basic School, expressed gratitude to the project team for selecting their school, which she emphasised was within a community vulnerable to GBV and hope it would be extended to other schools within the municipality.
The project team presented a certificate of participation to the school and provided over 100 different educational posters on GBV for display in the school to serve as a constant reminder to students of the implications and the need to stand against gender-based violence.
GNA