Give children equal rights, opportunity -NGO

From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi 

 

Empowerment Center for Women and Children (ECWC), a non-governmental organisation, has advised parents and guardians to give children under their care equal rights and opportunities to become more competitive in the job market in their various fields of operation in society.

Madam Aminata Ibrahim, Executive Director of the organisation, said this at a stakeholder’s sensitisation programme at the capital of Kwabre East District of Mamponteng, during which the District Child Protection Committee on Girl Power Project was formed and inaugurated.

The theme was: “Promoting equal rights and opportunities for girl and young women in the Kwabre East District.”

According to her, with support from the Defense for Children Development and Plan Ghana, in collaboration with coalition of NGOs, the organisation has started operating in Ashanti, Eastern and Upper West regions.

Five communities in the Kwabre East District, Kasei, Adwumam, Manhyia, Maape and Mamponteng, are benefiting from the programme.

Madam Aminata Ibrahim lamented on most girls dropping out of school because of adoption and teenage pregnancy among others, while their male counterparts continue their education.

She said it was because of the neglect or denial of the girl child to access education that was why her outfit was joining hands with the Ghana Education Service (GES), Social Welfare Department and other social institutions to help reduce such attitudes against women.

According to her, in the face of these situations, a pregnant school girl had the right to stay in school.

She stressed that there was the need for early childhood care, and that while education was important, the education of women and children was a right.

She said that mentally, mothers also need help, and challenged parents and guardians to give children equal rights and opportunities in order not to over burden females with all the responsibilities at home, while the males will always remain indoors studying to write the same assignments and examinations with the female counterparts at the end of the term or year.

She said the coalition had over the years led a national advocacy for reforms in juvenile justice administration, implementation of CRC and other child rights protection legal instruments, such as the Children’s Act, and has, in partnership with civil society organisations and NGOs, ensured the welfare and protection of the rights of girls in stressful circumstances.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=49034