Empowering youth and girls to realize their full potential through advocacy, education, and community action
The “Speak Out for Youth” initiative is a comprehensive advocacy campaign addressing violations of children’s and youth rights in various communities with emphasis on child marriage, sexual and reproductive health, and teenage pregnancy. The project aims to create a suitable multi-dimensional advocacy approach that contributes to increased awareness on early and forced marriage, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and teenage pregnancy, ultimately allowing girls and youth to enjoy their rights and reach their full potential.
This project was funded by Social Change Factory, Senegal and implemented in areas considered to be epicenters of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, including Adidome in the Central Tongu District and Adaklu Waya in the Adaklu District of the Volta region of Ghana.
Community Entry
Prior to the commencement of planned activities, project awareness meetings were held with key stakeholders to call for support. These included meetings with the Regional Department of Gender, Regional Director for Adolescents, District Chief Executive, District Director for Education, Traditional and Religious leaders, and Media houses. The project was well received, which translated to stakeholder participation during the actual events.
Consultative Dialogues
Two separate consultative dialogues were held at Adidome in the Central Tongu District and Adaklu Waya in the Adaklu District. These dialogues were organized to solicit comprehensive and synergistic contributions from all stakeholders towards preventing child marriage and improving adolescent and reproductive health issues. A total of 60 participants (30 females and 30 males) attended the workshops in both locations.
Educational Presentations
Key presentations were made by Madam Esther Hammond from the Department of Gender on child marriage and by public health professionals on adolescent reproductive health issues. These presentations provided statistical evidence, highlighted causes and consequences, and offered prevention strategies for child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
Campaign Launch
On May 6, 2022, the "Let the Girls Dream and See" campaign was launched at the Adaklu Senior High School with over 1,200 participants including community members, students, and representatives from various religious groups. The launch featured speeches from dignitaries, educational drama performances, and poetry presentations that emphasized the importance of preventing child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
Madam Esther Hammond from the Department of Gender presented on child marriage, explaining the concept with statistical evidence. She emphasized factors contributing to child marriage including poverty, early pregnancy, gender inequality, puberty rites, poor parenting, and traditional beliefs. She highlighted the health complications, poor nutrition, increased mortality, psychological trauma, educational deprivation, and other implications associated with child marriage.
Public health professionals presented on adolescent reproductive health issues, explaining the physical changes in adolescents, healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors, adolescent health risks, and reproductive health rights. They highlighted causes of teenage pregnancy including low education/employment opportunities, poverty, peer pressure, sexual coercion, early sexual debut, early marriage, low contraceptive use, and lack of knowledge about sex and family planning.
At the end of the project, the perception of communities about child rights, especially girls’ rights, and all forms of violation of children’s rights were positively impacted. Key stakeholders including the District Director of Education, assembly members, and the Queen Mother of the Adaklu Traditional area committed themselves to be foot soldiers in the fight against child marriage and teenage pregnancy in their district.
Help us continue our fight against child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Together, we can create a world where every girl can dream and see her future.
