Defence For Children Int’l Calls For Equal Right For The Vulnerable
A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Defence For Children International (DFCI) is calling for equal Right for the Vulnerable, mostly women and children.
PRESS RELEASE
SHE LEADS PROJECT;
INTERNATIONAL YOUTHS DAY 2022
THEME:
INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY.
International Youth Day is celebrated annually on 12 August to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.
The Day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.
It was established by the UN General Assembly (A/RES/54/120), which on 17 December 1999, endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth calling for 12 August to be declared International Youth Day.
International Youth Day gives a platform to the voices of the youth. It engages youngsters and aims to take initiatives and actions that will increase opportunities for them.
The youth of the world face different challenges and barriers to prosperity, depending on which part of the world they are living in.
Young people living in developed and developing countries are more prone to facing mental – and social challenges, whereas young people especially Girls and Young Women living in underdeveloped countries face extreme problems rooted in a lack of basic needs such as education, health, and employment; gender stereotypes, gender discrimination, patriarchy, gendered division of roles and responsibilities for boys and girls, Gender Based Violence and low representation of girls and young women in leadership and decision.
It is in this context that Defence for Children International (DCI), child rights advocacy non-governmental organization and partners implement “She Leads Project” to raise awareness challenges girls and young women face which infringes on their fundamental human rights.
The She Leads program is a 5-year strategic partnership between Plan International Netherlands, Defence for Children International/ ECPAT Netherlands, African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), and Terre Des Hommes Netherlands with sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
The program aims to increase sustained influence of girls and young women (GYW) on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions.
With the worldwide trend of closing and changing civic space, it becomes harder for Girls and Young Women to express opinions, assemble and associate.
Discriminatory norms determine that girls and (young) women’s roles and responsibilities are confined to the domestic sphere, dedicated to family and household responsibilities. Boys and young men, on the other hand, are expected to dominate the public spheres of society, demonstrating ‘masculine’ traits of strength, power and authority.
These norms not only underpin sexist attitudes and beliefs that boys and men make better leaders than girls and women, they also negatively impact on girls and young women’s aspirations to engage in public life, take up leadership roles or run as candidates.
Furthermore, the gendered division of roles also leads to girls and young women having less access than boys and men to the resources, time, skills, education, the formal and informal social networks and connections that are needed to effectively participate in public decision-making, whether as member of a civil society organisation, voter, political candidate or community leader.
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world needs to leverage the full potential of all generations including Girls and Young Women. Solidarity across generations is key for sustainable development.
We must collaborate to foster successful and equitable intergenerational relations and partnerships to ensure “no one is left behind.”
As we celebrate Youth Advocates across the world, WE Girls and Young Women acting as agents of change in youth activism from She Leads Ashanti are saying that;
1. WE need a voice and opportunity to be treated equality like the others.
2. WE need opportunity and trust from Policy Makers
3. WE don’t want to be invited to sign strategies that we were not involved.
4. WE want to work together hand in hand, learn from experiences from our Senior Advocates and work with future under our radar because our aim is to shape a safer future.
5. LET us work together hand on hand and be part of the decision-making process in working to shape the Ghanaian youth.
Girls and Young Women participation in decision-making is not just a right, but also key to sustainable development.
We will continue to advocate for our voices to be heard here in Ghana.
We will not stop until the narrative is changed.
#SheLeadsWeGain
#ISpeak4Myself
#LetYourVoiceCount
Faustina Osei Prempeh
15th August, 2022
Kumasi.
