By Kekeli K. Blamey, GNA
Adidome (V/R), Oct. 13, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has intensified its engagement with young people in the Central Tongu District to promote gender equality, adolescent health and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
It urged communities within the area to strengthen systems that protected adolescents from abuse and discrimination.
The Commission used a youth football match between Young Unity of Adidome and Ferdrigo FC of Avakpedome at the Adidome E.P. Park, as a platform to combine sports with civic and health education, reaching young people, parents, caregivers and other community members with messages on the rights, wellbeing and protection of adolescents.
The engagement formed part of the NCCE’s third-quarter activities under the Adolescent Girls Programme (AGP), implemented in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Mr Oral Robert, the Deputy Regional Director of the NCCE, said the programme sought to create greater awareness and promote positive attitudes and behaviours towards adolescent health, gender equality and the prevention of GBV.
He stressed the need for communities to provide safe environments where adolescents, particularly girls, could develop their potential, pursue education and aspirations, and participate meaningfully in society without fear of violence or discrimination.
Mr Robert said the responsibility for protecting adolescents extended beyond families to include parents, caregivers, traditional and community leaders, institutions and young people.
He urged the youth to become advocates for positive social change by sharing accurate information among their peers and speaking out against practices that undermined the safety, dignity and development of adolescents.
Madam Rita Ofosua Amparbin, the Head of Communication and Corporate Affairs at the NCCE, said every adolescent girl deserved to live free from fear, violence and abuse, while having access to accurate information to make informed decisions about her health and future.
She said protecting girls and providing them with equal opportunities would help develop a generation of women capable of contributing significantly to national development as professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders and change makers.
Madam Amparbin called on parents and caregivers to teach boys and girls to respect one another, while encouraging parents to support girls to realise their full potential.
She also challenged young men to become champions of gender equality by speaking against violence and refusing to remain silent when girls or women were subjected to abuse.
Madam Evelyn Agbese, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mama Lynn Charity Foundation, educated the participants on the various forms of GBV, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and economic violence.
She explained that actions such as insults, humiliation, deliberate isolation, unwanted touching, withholding another person’s money, and refusal to pay for work done could constitute forms of abuse.
Madam Agbese also cautioned against harmful traditional practices, saying cultural practices should not be allowed to undermine the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of individuals.
She urged community members to speak up against abuse, stressing that domestic violence could have devastating and long-term consequences for individuals, families and communities.
Dr Collins Eli Asilevi, who facilitated the session on adolescent reproductive health, educated the participants on the physical, emotional and social changes associated with adolescence and encouraged them to seek guidance from trusted adults when confronted with challenges.
He also discussed vaginal infections, their causes and prevention, and advised the youth to seek appropriate medical attention rather than relying on misinformation or self-medication.
Dr Asilevi said the interaction revealed significant gaps in the participants’ understanding of the legal age of sexual consent, with some believing that sexual activity was lawful at any age provided both parties consented.
Mr George A. K. Amey, the Central Tongu District Director of the NCCE, commended the participants for their active involvement and urged them to serve as ambassadors of the messages delivered during the engagement.
He encouraged them to take the lessons on gender equality, adolescent health and GBV prevention to their homes, schools, peer groups and communities, saying sustained community participation was essential to changing harmful social norms.
Mr Amey called for stronger protection and support for adolescent girls, saying communities had a collective responsibility to create an environment where girls could develop their talents, pursue education and realise their aspirations free from violence, abuse and discrimination.
He said the NCCE would continue to adopt innovative community-based approaches, including sports, to engage young people in civic education and equip them with the knowledge and values required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The engagement formed part of efforts to integrate civic education with youth-centred activities to promote informed decision-making, respect for human dignity, gender equality and a safer environment for adolescents.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah / Christabel Addo