ASP/Ms Linda Boateng – Kasoa Divisional DOVVSU Coordinator ( Awutu Senya East) engaging Participants on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
An initiative to end child marriage is being implemented in 15 communities in the Gomoa East District , Awutu Senya District and the Awutu Senya East Municipality.
Known as the Promoting Adolescent Safe Spaces (PASS) project, the initiative is being implemented by International Needs Ghana (INGH), an NGO in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Ending Child marriage
The project is part of a global programme aimed at ending child marriage. It aims to ensure that girls enjoy their childhood free from the risks of early marriage and pregnancy, and are empowered to make informed decisions regarding relationships and marriage.
While adolescent girls are the primary beneficiaries, boys and parents/caregivers are also engaged as secondary target groups.
Training
As part of the project activities, INGH organised a three day training to equip 95 facilitators with the knowledge, skills and tools to manage the Safe Spaces programme and conduct parenting sessions.
Resource persons from the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) built the capacity of the participants to deal with issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Child Rights and Responsibilities, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), Child Marriage and Responsible Parenting, etc.
In an opening address, the Head of Programs for International Needs Ghana, Mr. Isaac Arthur said that the project had successfully been implemented in five Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), comprising, Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, Mfantsiman Municipal Assembly, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Assembly, Agona West Municipal and Assin Foso Municipal Assembly since 2019.
PASS project
He said since the PASS intervention began in 2019, it has reached over 10,000 adolescent girls, with numerous stories of transformation.
He added that, since its inception in1987, the organisation has contributed significantly to education, gender and child rights, youth development, health, and Christian witnessing.
At the end of the training, participants demonstrated the knowledge gained and an empowerment to engage adolescents within their communities.