By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, Mar 8, GNA – The Transparency International, Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called on stakeholders to take firm actions to tackle systemic barriers, particularly corruption in the education sector that hinders girls from realising their full potentials.
The NGO made the call in statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, to mark this year’s International Women’s Day on the theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
It said despite the considerable progress made in gender parity, inequality in education remained a pressing challenge and girls continued to face obstacles to academic success due to corruption, entrenched societal norms, financial constraints, child marriage and child labour.
“Education is a fundamental right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and there is no doubt that the sector plays a critical role in the development of human resources of countries.
“So far, we commend the government for the significant strides made in expanding access to services delivery in the education sector,” the statement said.
However, corruption presented a significant challenge to the effective delivery of public services in Ghana’s education sector, and that such practices had severe and far-reaching effects on women and girls, it said.
The statement said: “In fact, the long-term impact of corruption in education can be devastating as it can perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality, as girls who are denied a quality education are less likely to secure well-paying jobs and more likely to remain in poverty.”
It, therefore, urged the government, policymakers, civil society organisations, the private sector, and all stakeholders to take bold and transformative action to address corruption loopholes in the education sector.
It also called for a strengthened accountability mechanisms to ensure that women and girls had equal access to opportunities without discrimination or systemic barriers.
The statement further asked stakeholders to ensure inclusive and equitable education by investing in gender-responsive infrastructure and policies that particularly addressed school dropouts among girls.
“Ghana’s development depends on leveraging the full potential of its women and girls; and addressing corruption in education is crucial for ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.
“By tackling corruption, we can create a more equitable and just society for all. The time for action is not in the future, it is now,” it added.
GNA