For Immediate Release October 11, 2021
To All Media Houses
2021 Int’l Day of the Girl Child: Safeguard the rights of girls for a brighter future-Human Rights Reporters Ghana
As the world commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to the growth of girls around the world, we at the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) fully demonstrates our solidarity towards the welfare of all girls across the world.
The selection of this year’s theme: “Digital generation. Our generation” which focuses on the rights, safety and education of girls around the world is by no means a coincidence but appropriate and timely especially at a time the world is busily embracing technology to advance its cause.
In accordance with the resounding theme, we at the Human Rights Reporters Ghana are calling for equal access to the internet and digital devices for girls and targeted investments to facilitate opportunities for girls safely and meaningfully access, use, lead and design technology.
According to the United Nations, even in the post-COVID-19 era that saw many businesses and education moving online, “2.2 billion people below the age of 25 still do not have internet access at home”. The report further stated that, girls are more likely to be cut off and less likely to “own and use devices” leading to a gender divide within the digital divide.
As we mark this momentous day, we are humbly appealing to the authorities to help prioritize the issues of the girl child and ensure their rights are safeguarded for a brighter future.
The phenomenon of kidnapping, rape, forced/child marriage, teenage pregnancy and other social vices which lower the dignity of our girls must be dealt with dispassionately to forestall its occurrence.
At a recent event, Country Director of Days for Girls Ghana, a non-profit organization, Ms. Sandra Boakye lamented unfavorable policies on menstrual hygiene products which is a concern calling on government to scrap the 20% luxury tax imposed on it to ensure that these products reach women and girls around the country.
HRRG believes that this initiative would help create avenues to eradicate the stigma and limitations of girls and women for improved health, education and livelihood.
Access to education, healthcare services, skill-based learning facilities, equal opportunities, shields against deception, gender-based violence and discrimination.
HRRG equally believes that women and girls are breaking boundaries and tackling issues every day, thus with a helping hand the gender gap grows compact.
Finally, we urge leaders from civil society, government and the private sector to make commitments to build more inclusive digital societies through providing equitable opportunities to girls, investing in feminist technology and putting girls and young women at the centre of designing and learning solutions for the digital world.
Thank you
Signed
Joseph Kobla Wemakor
Executive Director
Tel: 0243676813