Young girls from four basic schools in the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipal have received comprehensive sensitization on gender-based violence, online safety, and cyber security as part of this year’s global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
The engagement, held at Bagabaga Demonstration Junior High School, was organized by Norsaac with support from Oxfam, and aimed at empowering girls with practical knowledge to navigate digital spaces safely and confidently.
Programme Officer at Norsaac, Salima Abdulai, highlighted that the 16 Days of Activism is a global movement advocating against sexual and gender-based violence, especially targeting women and girls.
She reiterated Norsaac’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of girls, adding that this year’s theme draws attention to the growing threat of online abuse and harassment.
Mrs. Abdulai urged the students to remain attentive, ask questions where necessary, and take advantage of the platform to build healthy networks and supportive friendships.
She further encouraged them to maintain open communication and use the lessons learned to protect themselves and others online.
A representative of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mariama Zakaria, emphasized the importance of the campaign and advised students to prioritize their education over excessive internet use, which can expose them to harmful online behaviors.
She cautioned the girls to use digital platforms responsibly and commended Norsaac and Oxfam for creating safe platforms where girls can learn, share, and grow.
A drama group delivered a powerful skit depicting real-life scenarios of online abuse, including cyberbullying, impersonation, non-consensual image sharing, and the emotional harm caused by degrading comments.
The performance enabled the students to visualize how digital violence affects emotional well-being, confidence, and social relationships, reinforcing the message that online safety is as important as physical safety.
Madam Mariama further introduced the “three golden rules” for safe online behavior: Pause and think before posting, Protect personal information and Report harmful behavior to a trusted adult.
She highlighted the emotional and academic consequences of digital violence and shared practical tips, including keeping accounts private, using strong passwords, asking before sharing photos, blocking strangers, and seeking help immediately when faced with threatening behavior.
Cybersecurity advocate Ms. Faiza Sualisu took participants through the steps of identifying and reporting abuse both online and offline. She stressed the need for girls to recognize warning signs early and speak up without fear.
She encouraged them to seek support from teachers, parents, and community leaders whenever they encounter harmful or suspicious behavior.
Students from Sagnarigu Model Girls School delivered inspiring poems that celebrated girls’ empowerment and stressed the urgent need to protect girls in digital spaces. Their verses echoed the central message of the event: every girl deserves safety, dignity, and respect online and offline.
The sensitization also underscored the important roles of parents, guardians, teachers, and communities in building safe digital environments. Stakeholders were encouraged to guide girls without blame, maintain open communication, and actively promote kindness and respect online.
