Government has reiterated its commitment to empowering women who are vulnerably to prevent them from the continue abuse in the society. Government said, it would also empower women more to deliver excellent results in their field of endeavors to erase the negative perception that women are weak.
The minister of Gender and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur stated this at the induction ceremony of 1,317 senior high school livers beneficiaries of Cama Network, a subsidiary organization of Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) at Nyakapla in the Tolon District of the northern region.
Nana Oye Lithur stressed that education would give women the require skills to be able to live independent lives, adding that it will prevent women from becoming vulnerable to violence.
According to Nana Oye Lithur, women constitute two third of all illiterates across the world which accounts of 70 perecent of women being victims of abuse. In Ghana, the minister only 61 % women are literates compared to 71 % men literate.
The Gender and social protection minister further stated; ”if education is a tool for reducing vulnerability of women, then it will be desirable for all women to have higher education’’.
On women in political positions, Nana Oye Lithur said her ministry is making effort towards ensuring that women are adequately represented at every level in the decision making process.
The ministry, she said is currently working with local government ministry to nominate women for the position of District Chief Executives.
In addition, her outfit is ensuring that all decision made in every Ministry and Public Agencies take women into consideration while providing women in selected districts and communities with opportunities to acquire skills through Gender Responsive Skills and Community Development Project.
The ministry according to Nana Oye Lithur will soon roll out a national campaign against socio-cultural practices that deprive the girl child and women of equal enjoyment of rights.
To ensure the success of the project, the ministry is urging chiefs and traditional leaders to help in eradicating harmful traditional practices against women and girls to also bring development to their communities.
Nana Oye Lithur urged the girls to avail themselves to be guide in their career choices and also take advantage of internship opportunities, crucial skills training as it will equip and mold them to chosen careers. The minister was delighted about the activities of Cama network in providing leadership training to girls and that if we have 1,317 girls each year passing out of senior high school with a package, the northern part of Ghana will soon witness immense development.
Cama (Camfed Alumnae) is a pan-African network of young women who have benefited from Camfed’s support and are united by a commitment to develop themselves as well as invest their education benefit back into their communities.
Cama members receive opportunities such as post-secondary education, business skills training leadership entrepreneurship development and access to various platforms for local, national and international advocacy.
The beneficiaries were dranw from 16 Metropolitan, Municipal and district assemblies in the northern region. The district includes, Tamale metro, Yendi Municipality, Savelugu/Nanton Municipality,Chereponi, Gushegu, Nanumba North and South, East and West Mamprusi, Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, West Gonja, Bole and Karaga districts.
