Tamale: An initiative targeted at advancing institutional strength, leadership, protection, and inclusion for sustainable development has been launched in the Northern Region to empower women, girls, youth, and persons with disabilities to actively participate in decision-making processes.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project, dubbed 'EMPOWERHER: Advancing Institutional Strength, Leadership, Protection and Inclusion for Sustainable Impact', is being implemented by the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana) in partnership with Plan International Ghana and funded by Global Affairs Canada under the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership (RWVL) project.
The project is expected to directly benefit about 1,660 people comprising 600 women, 500 youth, 200 girls, and 50 persons with disabilities among other indirect beneficiaries within the targeted communities. The intervention would be implemented in selected communities within the Tamale and Sagnarigu Municipalities including Sorugu, Damankuyili, Bilpela, and Kalariga.
Ms. Fatimata Abdul-Rasheed, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer and Project Lead, presented the overview of the project, highlighting the ongoing challenges such as gender inequality, rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and limited leadership opportunities that continue to affect women, girls, and youth in Northern Ghana. She emphasized the need for stronger community systems, enhanced leadership capacities, and effective protection mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable groups and promote inclusive development.
Ms. Abdul-Rasheed explained that the project seeks to increase the participation of women, youth, girls, and persons with disabilities in decision-making at household, school, community, and district levels by 2028. It aims to strengthen institutional capacity, build leadership and advocacy skills, increase awareness on SGBV, and promote positive gender masculinities while enhancing accountability mechanisms against SGBV.
One major area of intervention would focus on organizational strengthening through governance and leadership training, gender-responsive monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) training, advocacy and resource mobilization, capacity building, and operational equipment support. Ms. Abdul-Rasheed expressed confidence that by 2028, the project would contribute to improved leadership and agency among women and girls, stronger community action against SGBV, increased participation of women in decision-making processes, and more responsive institutions and referral systems for handling SGBV cases.
The Project Lead stressed the importance of partnerships in achieving the project's objectives, indicating that the initiative would collaborate closely with schools, the Ghana Education Service (GES), community leaders, civil society organizations, women's groups, youth groups, and relevant government institutions. Special attention would be given to women, girls, Fulbe communities, persons with disabilities, and youth to ensure inclusivity in the development process.
Mr. Peter Mintir Amadu, a Lecturer at the University for Development Studies and Executive Director of the Total Life Enhancement Centre Ghana (TOLECGH), commended SWIDA-Ghana and its partners for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to address persistent inequalities affecting women and vulnerable groups. He called for collective action among stakeholders to create safe, inclusive, and enabling environments for women and girls to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to community development.
Mrs. Sahadatu Abubakari Nima, Northern Regional President of the Federation of Disability Organisations, praised the project's commitment to disability inclusion and urged sustained efforts to remove barriers to participation for persons with disabilities in leadership and development processes. She encouraged institutions and communities to embrace inclusive practices that promote equal opportunities for all.
Participants at the event expressed optimism that the project would strengthen local capacities, promote gender equality, and significantly contribute to reducing incidents of gender-based violence in the beneficiary communities.