PRESS RELEASE: Invest in a skilled ‘GirlForce’ says Girls Not Brides, Ghana Partnership on International Day of the Girl.
BOLGA – As the world celebrates International Day of the Girl on 11 October, Girls Not Brides,
Ghana Partnership is calling for greater investments to improve girls’ education, skills, and job
prospects in Ghana.
We stress the importance of creating opportunities and safe spaces for girls’
voices to be heard and listened to in decisions that affect them.
Hussein Rahman, Northern Zonal Coordinator of Girls Not Brides, Ghana Partnership, said that
more attention needs to be given in girls’ education to providing job-relevant skills and training
to enable them to participate in the workforce and to move from dreaming to achieving a better
future.
“Poverty is a predominant factor of child marriage, particularly in the 5 Northern regions and girls
from poor families are more likely to become child brides than those from wealthier households.
If we really want to tackle poverty and end child marriage, we must give all girls the tools they
need to invest in themselves.
That means providing them with the quality education and training
they need to earn an income and create a better future for themselves and their family,” Rahman
said.
Every year, 12 million girls are married globally before the age of 18, depriving them of their
rights to education, health and a life of their choosing.
However, in Ghana, 19% of girls are
married before age 18.
Evidence shows that girls who attend secondary school are three times less likely to be child
brides.
They also have better economic prospects, fewer and healthier children, and are more likely to
ensure that their own children are not married before 18.
Rachel Yates, Interim Executive Director of Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child
Marriage, which comprises of over 1,300 civil society organisations, said: “Investing in efforts to
end child marriage isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s also smart economics.
When girls are educated instead of being married young, and have opportunities to earn an income, they are
more likely to lead happier, healthier lives, and to contribute to the growth and development of
their communities.
Ending child marriage has to be a critical part of creating a ‘GirlForce’ of
empowered girls who are able to reach their full potential, whilst ensuring we meet our global
development goals.”
Under the theme, “GirlForce: Unscripted and unstoppable”, International Day of the Girl will
highlight how with the right skills and support, girls can break barriers and build a better world
for themselves and future generations.
To mark the day, Girls Not Brides, Ghana Partnership in
collaboration with WUZDA-Ghana, YOVI-Ghana, Songtaba and CIAHT has undertaken Radio
discussions in Tamale, Ghana and has organized a forum involving Religious leaders, Traditional
authorities, key government officials and young girls themselves to amplify the voices of the
latter, in an attempt to, in the medium term, reduce the incidences of this menace, that is Child,
Early Forced marriages in Ghana.
For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact Hussein Rahman, Northern Zonal
Coordinator, Girls Not Brides, Ghana Partnership and Executive Director of YOVI-Ghana:info@yovighana.com/ 0247 588 466/0203 806 547.
WUZDA Ghana 