Kibi: Care for Society Network International (CfSNI), a not-for-profit organisation, has organised a training for senior high school girls at Kibi Secondary Technical School on self-confidence to shun peer pressure. The workshop was under a project called 'Obaa Nhweso Initiative' which sought to mentor and nurture young students on the need to progress in their academic pursuits and avoid teenage pregnancies and dropping out of school.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Anita Ampofoa Amoako-Gyimah, Founder of CfSNI, indicated that building a strong foundation and an ethical society was in the values instilled in young girls who would become future adults. By helping young girls identify their potentials and understand the importance of self-confidence through such trainings, the initiative aims at not just shaping individuals, but influencing the future of communities.
She highlighted that due to gender stereotypes, which have influenced some long-held perceptions about girls' education, mentoring and nurturing them is critical to achieving gender equality. She also observed that the rise of social media had amplified the pressures young girls face, often leading to insecurity and self-doubt, which reinforced the need for such education.
The participants were taken through practical strategies to help them build resilience, withstand peer pressure, set meaningful goals, and maintain focus to progress through the academic ladder. The interactive sessions encouraged the girls to identify their strengths, overcome their fears, and develop healthy relations to foster personal growth.
One of the participants, Ama, a 16-year-old girl, described the experience as transformative. "I used to doubt myself a lot, especially when I faced challenges. But now, I tell myself, 'I am determined' every day, and it gives me the courage to keep pushing," she said.
