Korle-Gono: Over 100 students of the Hijaz Islamic Basic School at Korle-Gono have been sensitized on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) issues to help them recognize and respond to abuse in their communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative is part of the United States Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Award Project aimed at empowering young boys and girls in the fight against gender-based violence. Ms. Regina Asamoah, a multiple award-winning journalist and Founder of Missing Children, noted that GBV in schools and communities was stifling children’s potential and pleasant childhood experiences. She emphasized the importance of equipping young people, especially students, with the knowledge to empower them to break cultural norms that tend to silence voices and conceal violence.
Prof. Samuel Kojo Kwofie, Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana, explicated the dangers of cyberbullying, sextortion, deepfake, and cyberstalki
ng. He advised students against sharing content online to avoid victimization, noting that GBV occurring online is an emerging trend and harmful phenomenon for school children. He called for policies and strategies to address the growing menace.
Dr. Dzifa Abra Attah, a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, conducted a practical session on emotional resilience for the students and encouraged them to seek guidance from trusted adults like teachers when dealing with GBV-related issues.
Mrs. Ellen Adjaye-Gyamfi, Headmistress of Hijaz Islamic Basic School, expressed her gratitude to the project team for selecting their school, highlighting that it is located in a community vulnerable to GBV. She expressed hope that the initiative would be extended to other schools within the municipality.
The project team presented a certificate of participation to the school and provided over 100 different educational posters on GBV for display, serving as a constant reminder to
students of the implications and the need to stand against gender-based violence.