As a strategy to strengthen our advocacy efforts on the She Leads Project to promote the leadership and meaningful participation of girls and young women (GYW) in decision-making processes, while fostering GYW empowerment and equality, EWEF collaborated with Adesua Foundation and the Ghana Education Service, Asante Akim North Municipal to organize a symposium on October 11, 2023 to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child Celebration under the theme; ‘Our Time is now, Our Rights, Our Future’. The four (4) areas of focus for the symposium were Education, Entrepreneurship, Security Services and the Entertainment Industry, with a targeted number of 250 girls chosen from twenty-one (21) institutions with representation across Junior High, Senior High, and Tertiary Institutions
EWEF hosted four (4) exemplary women, who were well advanced in their fields of specialization, and pose strong urge for diversity and growth to serve as panelists during the symposium. They were; Madam Mildred Ama Kwakye Agyepong (Director of Education, AAN), Ms. Abigail Afrah Nsiah (GMB 2018, Ashanti Regional Representative), Nana Akua Konadu Yiadom (Akyeampimhemaa of Suhum, Police CID, Agogo), and Ms. Charlotte Ofobiri (CEO, Ecohezz Gh/ Co- founder. Circular Economy Village / SO Ghana Ambulance Service).
Madam Theodora Pam, the representative for the Municipal Director of Education, Madam Mildred Ama Kwakye Agyepong, who was the chairperson for the event, gave an opening speech, encouraging young girls to take their education seriously and persevere in the face of challenges to achieve great success in the future. She also urged the girls to actively participate in social activities so as to acquire lots of helpful knowledge and skills to guide them through life.
Panel Session
Discussions were centered around the lived experiences of the panelists and how they maneuvered their way to achieving their set goals and attaining success. Panelists shared relatable incidents in the day-to-day life of a regular girl of school going age so that the girls could easily apply the lessons being taught. The discussion was followed by an open dialogue where girls came out with their questions and issues to which panelists gave tailored responses and offered personal level guidance as well on issues that required more closer attention.
Conclusion
The International Day of the Girl Child Celebration Symposium was a success and achieved the results that was envisioned by EWEF. Panelists went all out in sharing their experiences and girls were highly interactive during the session, giving feedback and asking questions for assistance. They left rejuvenated and poised to achieve their dreams against all odds.