The International Day of the Girl Child was on Friday, October 13, 2023 commemorated in the Effutu Municipality with a call for a serious investment in girl child education as well as the provision of equal opportunities for the girl child to unlock a brighter future for all.The global theme for this year’s celebration, the 12th of its kind was: “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership our Well-being” with the organizers for the Effutu event choosing as their sub-theme “Our time is now-Our Right, Our future” and aimed at promoting empowerment projects or programmes for girls to enable them to be independent and useful to the society as well as to fulfil their human rights.It was organized by the Girl Child Unit of the Effutu Municipal Directorate of Education with support from the Effutu Municipal Assembly and other notable organizations and individuals in Winneba.The day is marked annually to amplify the voices of the girl child and encourage them to stand up for their rights, following the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Zubairu Kassim in an address valued the development of the female children, describing them as leaders, innovators and agents of change who are not just the future but the present of the country’s progress.He said that investing in the potential of girl child represents an investment in the betterment of the communities and the world at large and charged stakeholders to empower them with the requisite tools, knowledge and opportunities to shape a future where gender equity is the norm and not an exception.Hon. Alhaji Zubairu Kassim pledged the commitment of the Government of Ghana and the Effutu Municipal Assembly to take concrete decisions and actions to promote policies on gender equality and support organizations to work tirelessly to empower girls.The Effutu MCE encouraged stakeholders and organizations to mentor young girls in their communities and inspire them into believing that their dreams were within reach. The Effutu Municipal Director of Education, Madam Diana Anderson, made a clarion call on policy makers, opinion leaders and stakeholders in the communities to work towards creating a conducive environment that the girl child could survive in to harness her potentials.Madam Anderson noted that the future of the country was intrinsically linked with the development of the girl child and urged all to help in ensuring that the rights of the girl child was upheld for gender equity.On her part, the Central Regional Girl Child Officer, Mrs. Priscilla Eshun, intimated that rights go with responsibilities and encouraged female children to balance their right to health with a responsibility of taking care of their health lives by shunning acts inimical to their health and well-being.She challenged girls to be role models for their colleagues by training their minds to focus on building their capabilities and not to embark on a manhunt as their means of existence as well as promoting a life of empathy and inclusivity.The Effutu Municipal Officer for the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Madam Phoebi M. Agyei, urged parents to engage their female children in the adolescent stage in sex education to create in them the awareness of the dangers associated with amorous lifestyles.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE – ISD
Last modified: October 14, 2023
