The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) have reaffirmed their commitment to empowering vulnerable girls and young women through sexual and reproductive health education, protection services, leadership development and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The partnership was highlighted at the maiden Image of a Woman Conference 2026, organised by PAYDP and Glorious Abundant Ministries International (GAMI) under the theme, “We Are All Leaders.”
The conference brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, faith leaders, entrepreneurs, students, media professionals and emerging women leaders to discuss the rights, wellbeing and leadership potential of women and girls.
The event also marked the launch of The Image of a Woman, a book authored by the conference convener and PAYDP Executive Director, Prophetess Aku Xornam Adzraku-Kevi.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. David Wilfred Ochan, Country Representative of UNFPA Ghana, said the partnership with PAYDP was helping vulnerable girls and young women transition from precarious livelihoods to skills development, enterprise creation and more dignified economic opportunities.
He pointed to the progress made by Kayayei (female head porters) who are now working collectively to develop products and explore new markets.
“The Kayayei girls are coming together in an enterprise and getting markets to export some products. In this way, they are moving from being individuals and children to growing individuals, forming enterprises, getting resources and exporting their products.”
According to Dr Ochan, the transformation extends beyond individual beneficiaries.
“It is not only changing their lives; it is also contributing to the economy of Ghana. We have students, also among the girls, who have taken protection of themselves. Because they have been empowered with health education, they are able to share that information with their families and make informed choices about their lifestyles.”
He said the results were visible in the choices girls were making and the confidence they were developing.
“We have seen girls making more responsible choices to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections, HIV and sexual abuse. We have seen lives change, sources of income change, and girls move towards alternative income opportunities and the creation of enterprises.”
Dr Ochan said UNFPA’s work with PAYDP reflected the organisation’s belief that every young person deserved opportunity, dignity, choice and a future filled with possibilities.
“At UNFPA, we strongly believe that every young person has the right to opportunities, to dignity, to choice and to a future filled with possibilities. This is why working with vulnerable populations, particularly adolescent girls and young women, is central to our mandate.”
Through the partnership, girls who were once excluded from education, decent work and decision-making spaces are being supported to see themselves beyond the limitations of their circumstances.
“We have seen young women who were once excluded from opportunities begin to see themselves differently, not as victims of their circumstances, but as women with potential, talent, ambition and the power to shape their own futures.”
Prophetess Adzraku-Kevi also said PAYDP had worked for years in reproductive health, livelihood empowerment, sexual and gender-based violence prevention and leadership development for women and girls.
She explained that the decision to bring together stakeholders from different sectors was deliberate because the empowerment of women could not be achieved by one organisation or institution alone.
She further highlighted that the conference was intended to strengthen learning, networking and collaboration among religious leaders, government representatives, development partners, civil society organisations and women’s groups.
“Women empowerment requires collaboration beyond one institution or one sector. We have been training women and girls for years, and a lot of the things we are hearing will enhance our minds and thoughts and further help us to build the capacity of our women and girls.”
The conference featured panel discussions on sexual and gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights, legal protection and the challenges women face in their homes, communities and workplaces. Representatives from the Federation of Women Lawyers Ghana, International Needs Ghana, UNFPA and other partner organisations participated in the discussions.
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Prophetess Adzraku-Kevi called on women and girls to speak out, discover their purpose and pursue leadership opportunities despite social expectations and stereotypes.
“When you look at the Bible, there were lots of women who were judges, queens, government leaders and all that. But when you look into our society, there are a lot of stereotypes. It’s difficult for women to work in their purpose.”
She said The Image of a Woman was written to encourage women to challenge limiting expectations and recognise their capacity to lead and contribute meaningfully to society.
“The main objective is to help women understand issues of sexual and gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and all that affects women.”
She further called on policymakers to continue creating opportunities for women, noting the growing representation of women in Ghana’s Parliament and other leadership spaces.