From Ernest Best Anane.
The Defence for Children International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has charged African governments to include women in public decision-making to help address gender-based violence and socio-economic inequality effectively.
Mr. Peter Larbi, Project Coordinator of the organisation, said this at a one-day workshop, organised to educate and sensitise NGOs, fan clubs, associations, and leaders of organised groups in the Kumasi Metropolis, on the need to giving equal rights and opportunities to young women and boys in society.
He revealed that gender violence cannot be addressed effectively, while girls and young women are excluded from private and public decision-making, saying their non-participation was among other causes resulting in prevailing gender norms and persistent gender discrimination, which inhibit girls and young women from developing the knowledge and skills necessary for participation and collective mobilisation.
According to him, the thematic areas of the organisation are working for better protection for girls and young women, enhancing economic opportunities for girls and young women, enhancing secondary education for girls and young women, and enhancing socio-political participation in society by girls and young women, as the main target group includes girls and young women, communities, including parents men and boys leaders, government institutions at both the national and local level, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
He said their objectives are to help a reduction of sexual and gender-based violence against girls and young women, increase socio-economic empowerment of girls and young women by strengthening quality and access to education, with special focus on post-primary education, including vocational, financial and employment skills, and also increase socio-political empowerment of girls and young women by promoting their participation in private and public decision-making processes.
Mr. Larbi observed that in achieving these, civil society can play a pivotal role in strengthening girls and young women’s individual and collective agency, and creating a more supportive environment for their participation in decision-making structures and broader civil society coalitions at all levels.