Stakeholders urged to address gender gaps confronting the girl-child

The Executive Director of Insight Foundation Ghana (IFG), Mrs. Christiana Gockel, on Wednesday urged the Government and development partners to address gender gaps to ensure that no girl-child is left behind in terms of development.

She has, therefore, called for continuous support from stakeholders including governments and development partners to invest in the girl-child to realise her dreams and contribute her quota to the development of society.

Mrs. Gockel said this at the commemoration of the 2017 International Day of the Girl-Child in Accra on the theme: “The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030”.

The Day is celebrated annually on October 11 to highlight issues concerning gender inequality facing young girls.

There are nearly 600 million girls from 10 to 19 years in the world today, each with limitless individual potentials, Mrs Gockel said, adding; “Investing in adolescent girls can have a formidable ripple effect to create a better world by 2030.”

Mrs. Gockel said it was the agenda of IFG to see girls stay in school and walk up the educational ladder alongside the boy-child.

“Not just a matter of the girls going to school but, as stakeholders, we are making sure they stay in school to develop themselves amidst the hindrances they encounter,” she said.

The Headmaster of the Association Community Model Basic School in Accra, Theodore Adjetey Adjei, urged girls to take their studies seriously, be religious and follow the advice of their parents and teachers.

Mrs. Genevivie Eba-Polley, the Executive Director of Ghana Book Trust, advised the students to let their dreams be their focus and never sway from their passions.

“Do not be distracted and allow certain things to waste your time, women empowerment is just about saying; give us equal opportunities,” she said.

She, therefore, urged the boys to be a support to the girls to realise their potential, adding; “Work together with the girls for a better society because empowering women means ensuring a better society”.

The Executive Director of Women, Media and Change, Dr. Charity Binka, said personal development should be accomplished systematically.

She urged the students to take their studies seriously and aspire to the highest level.

Mrs. Cynthia Prah, the National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre, advised the students to work with passion and work on discovering their innate talents.

She called on the Government and parents to put measures in place to help the children, especially the girl-child, to achieve their goals and dreams.

A Director at the Commission on Human Right and Administrative Justice, Dr. Isaac Annan, said equality in human rights education was fundamental to empowering the girl-child on her rights to fight for equal treatments in society. 

SOURCE: GNA
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