Ms. Nora Asampana, ICT Coordinator at the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Education Directorate, has urged girls to refrain from sharing sensitive personal information and materials on social media.
She stressed the importance of being cautious in online interactions to protect privacy, avoid risks, and not miss valuable opportunities due to inappropriate posts.
Ms. Asampana gave advice during the Ezer Foundation’s commemoration of International Girls Day at St. Martin’s Senior High School in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality.
The event brought together female students from St. Martin’s and five nearby Junior High Schools: Adoagyiri Presby Basic School, Adoagyiri R/C JHS, Adoagyiri Methodist Basic School, Al-Badar Islamic Basic School, and Al-Rajhi Islamic Basic School.
As part of their health and hygiene project, the Foundation donated 120 hand sanitizers and 30 liquid soaps to the schools.
Ms. Asampana noted that some social media users engage in cyberbullying, which could expose girls to online harassment, verbal abuse, and public shaming.
She urged the students to report any instances of online harassment to their parents or school authorities to protect themselves from unwarranted bullying and threats.
While emphasising the importance of digital literacy, she stressed the need for them to be aware of the potential dangers of social media to enable them to navigate the online world safely.
Mrs. Grace Van-Ess, a Senior Nurse at Lister Hospital, advised the young girls to prioritise their personal hygiene and reproductive health during their adolescent years.
She urged them to be cautious of men who compliment them in sexual ways and to abstain from behaviors that could lead to unsafe sexual practices and relationships.
Mr. Victor Armah Attoh, Director of Operations at Ezer Foundation, said that the commemoration aimed to empower the girls to pursue their dreams and goals for a better future.
“We believe education is the key and the foundation of character. So, we decided to put together this event to help these young girls by impacting knowledge into them so that they can be adults of character and responsibility.”
“We are creating a multidimensional approach, where we look at children’s educational, medical, psychosocial, and spiritual well-being. These four dimensions help children to grow, and unleash their potentials,” he added.
The United Nations observes October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to highlight girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face globally.
This Day aims to draw attention to the challenges girls encounter and to promote their empowerment and the realization of their human rights.
The theme for this year, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” focuses on empowering girls, amplifying their voices, and advocating for strategies and policies that ensure a better future for them.