The She Leads project as part of its processes to achieve the meaningful inclusion of girls in decision-making and leadership, takes interest in building the capacities of Girls and Young Women to prepare them for the created opportunities and spaces.
As part of efforts to achieve this objective, EWEF organized trainings on GES re-entry Policy, Community Scorecard and Time Diary data collection tools for GYW in the Asante Akim North Municipality. These trainings seek to enhance the research ability of girls and to enable them gather quality first-hand data for advocacy within their communities and institutions.
The training on community scorecard usage was offered on 20th June, 2024 and followed with a survey, led by the two GYW in Akutuase and Agogo Obuase communities in Asante Akim North on 24thand 28th June respectively.
Ms. Janet and Ms. Racheal (GYW on the She Leads project) mobilized not less than 20 community members each, comprising traditional and religious leaders, family heads, Assembly members, Girls and Young Women and men and women of the community. Discussions were on GYW involvement in leadership and meaningful decision-making processes within the community, schools and state politics.
The results from Akutuase revealed that:
- Girls and Young Women were sometimes allowed to participate in decision making processes at all levels in the community.
- However, girls fear to take up leadership positions due to verbal abuse from community members.
In Agogo Obuase, the survey revealed that;
- GYW participation in family/clan decision making was very low because they were considered to be immature traditionally.
- GYW meaningful participation in local governance was also low. Notwithstanding, in the schools and religious institutions they were allowed to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.
Stakeholders were lobbied and encouraged to allow GYW to participate in family level meetings. Traditional authorities were also engaged to support the leadership exploits of girls in the community. Family heads were encouraged to support the involvement of Girls and Young Women in meaningful decision- making processes at the community level.