Plan International Ghana has successfully concluded its five-year Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) programme, impacting over 102,000 women and girls across the country to promote human rights and gender equality.
The programme engaged 81 women’s rights organizations, focusing on female leadership, economic empowerment, and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
A closing ceremony convened civil society organizations, officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, representatives from the Canadian Embassy in Ghana, and other stakeholders to celebrate the programme’s achievements.
Theodora Asare, Project Manager of the WVL Project, highlighted the significant impact of the three million Canadian dollars in funding from Global Affairs Canada.
This support facilitated capacity-building training for 286 staff members of women’s rights organizations, enhancing their ability to expand their influence.
Ghana, which ranked 108th out of 146 countries globally in the gender gap index in 2022, faces challenges such as a high prevalence of sexual violence against women.
The programme aims to empower women to advocate for change and reduce these trends.
Constant Tchona, Country Director of Plan International Ghana, credited the Canadian Feminist International Assistance Policy 2017 for catalyzing positive changes in gender equality efforts.
This policy has encouraged more development partners to invest in local women’s rights organizations, strengthening the foundation for women’s empowerment.
Dr. Afisa Zakariah, Chief Director at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, expressed optimism about the programme’s impact on improving the lives of Ghanaian women and girls.
She highlighted the Ministry’s achievements in capacity-building and transformative initiatives, aiming to foster tangible changes in communities nationwide.
Kathleen Flynn-Dapaah, Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission to Ghana, praised the programme’s role in building the capacity of vulnerable women and children in Ghanaian society, underscoring its broader societal benefits.
