Adolescence is a period of life with specific health and developmental needs and rights. It is a time to develop knowledge and skills, learn to manage emotions and relationships, and acquire attributes and abilities that will be important for enjoying the adolescent years and assuming adult roles. It is a critical period in a girl’s life, when significant physical, emotional, and social changes shape her future.
It’s against this backdrop that the Department of Gender under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with support from the UNFPA and the Canadian Government organized mentorship programme on to reorient and educate selected adolescent girls on their SRHR and SGBV to ensure these girls are healthy, socially empowered, and free from violence and discrimination.
In an address to the participants, the Greater Accra Regional Director for Gender, Madam Matilda Banfro explained that adolescence is a turning point for girls and it is a period when the girls begin to ask questions to form their individual identities. It is also a time to develop knowledge and skills, learn to manage emotions and relationships as well as acquire attributes and qualities to enjoy their adolescent years.
She added that, even though many women and girls have been privileged many girls still face systematic barriers and oppressive practices that negatively impact their personal growth and development.
In all a total of 75 adolescent girls and 7 teachers from 7 schools at Nyagbenya in NiPDA were engaged.