As part of efforts to bridge the gender equality gap in leadership, members of the She Leads Clubs in several Senior High Schools in the Wa Municipality were exposed to essential leadership skills. This initiative by the Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD-Ghana) is designed to prepare young girls for leadership roles at the school, community, and national levels.
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Fostering Gender Equality – She Leads Project
The She Leads project is dedicated to building the confidence of these girls, enhancing their public speaking skills, and empowering them to take on leadership roles. Through this initiative, the project directly contributes to advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality by 2030.
Inspiring Young Girls
Ms. Ernestina Biney, Acting Executive Coordinator of CARD-Ghana, opened the one-day workshop in Wa by reaffirming the organization’s commitment to empowering females. She emphasised the importance of leadership and its positive impact on their communities. “We hope that by the end of today, you will understand the importance of stepping up into leadership roles and contributing to the growth and development of your societies,” she shared.
Encouraging Boldness and Confidence
The girls, representing various schools such as Wa Senior High School, Wa Senior High Technical School, Wa Technical Institute, and Wa Islamic SHS, were encouraged to be bold and seize leadership opportunities. Ms Biney urged them to break barriers and present themselves for roles that would allow them to serve their communities effectively.
Promoting Equal Opportunities
Ms. Naema Abdullah, Gender Desk Officer at the Upper West Regional Office of the Legal Aid Commission, emphasised the importance of raising awareness about gender equality. She pointed out the persistent issue of discrimination, particularly in financially disadvantaged families where male education is prioritized over that of the girl child. “Girls have just as much to offer society. When society leans too heavily towards one gender, especially boys, development is stunted,” she noted.
Breaking Gender Barriers
Ms Abdullah further stressed the need to encourage girls to aspire to roles traditionally dominated by men. She urged the girls to challenge the status quo and strive for positions where their voices could make a meaningful impact and drive change.
Comprehensive Learning
In addition to leadership training, the workshop covered essential topics such as menstrual hygiene management, effective communication, and building strong leadership qualities. These sessions equipped the girls with practical skills to excel both personally and professionally.
Conclusion
CARD-Ghana’s She Leads project remains a pivotal force in empowering young girls, equipping them with the leadership skills and confidence to make lasting contributions to their communities. As these young women acquire the necessary tools to thrive, the future of gender equality in leadership roles appears promising.
Wa | Upper West Region | June 26 | 2025.
