January, 2018 Report On The 2017 International Women’s Day Celebration In Bekwai Municipality At Bekwai Islamic Basic School On The Theme: Be Bold For Change

INTRODUCTION
Rights and Responsibilities Initiatives Ghana (RRIG) with support from the Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC) observed the 2017 International Women’s Day celebration in Bekwai Municipality. The program took place on Wednesday, 8th March, 2017 at the Bekwai Islamic Basic School. The theme for the celebration was Be Bold for Change.

ATTENDANCE
The participants were pupils from Bekwai Islamic Junior High School. In attendance were teachers of the school as well as members of the Community Child Protection Committee in Bekwai Zongo. The role of the committee is to promote and strengthen children’s rights in the Bekwai Zongo Community. Their role also includes;

Ensuring that there is a reduction in child marriage, sexual violence and abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children
To prevent and protect children in the community from all forms of abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation;
Primary focus on prevention through awareness raising and early interventions;
Work to create a more conducive environment that provides a mechanism for increased reporting, response and/or referrals;
Weak referral mechanisms strengthened.

OUTPUT
Ms. Faustina Osei Prempeh informed the pupils that the event is a platform to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of girls and young women because visibility and awareness help drive positive change for girls and young women. The facilitator declared bold actions as an individual can help the individual progress. She explained that the theme was a purposeful agenda designed to accelerate gender parity in communities, families, Ghana and across the world.
Madam Aba Oppong called on the pupils to work hard at school and at home. That hard work, honesty and truthfulness are important in building ones courage, capacity and propel a child to achieve his/her academic potential and hence facilitate the achievement of a decent career.
Concerns of the pupils included the fact that sometimes when parents/ guardians want to marry them off and they refuse, the parents/guardians deny them meals. The Director of CHRAJ informed them to report all such cases to the CHRAJ office, the Department of Social welfare office, the Police (Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, DOVVSU) or the teachers in the school for the necessary actions to be taken. RRIG donated some exercise books to the school children.

SOME PICTURES FROM THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION

Some photos of the pupils of Bekwai Islamic JHS

Mad. Aba Oppong, RRIG Board Chairman presenting some exercise books to the Bekwai Islamic JHS

CCPC in Bekwai Zongo joins the celebration Mr. Baah, Director for National Youth Authority delivering his speech

Mad. Priscilla, Director for CHRAJ educating
The pupils on their rights Mad. Aba Oppong encourages girls to say no to Child Marriage