Plan International Ghana trains partners on child protection, gender-based violence
Plan International Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has organised a day’s capacity training for its partner institutions to enhance their knowledge regarding child protection and gender-based violence.
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The event which was held in commemoration of World Humanitarian Day was to raise awareness and strengthen the mechanisms for identifying, reporting and addressing issues related to these critical areas.
It was on the theme: “Act for humanity”, and it brought together representatives from the Ghana Education Service, United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, National Youth Authority, Bawku West District Assembly, among others.
A speech delivered on his behalf, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Constant Tchona, said disasters, conflicts and disease outbreaks threatened children’s lives, rights and prospects as well as damaged the societies they lived in.
He said a quarter of the world’s population lived in conflict-affected areas while humanity was witnessing the highest number of people who were displaced, saying “more than 100 million people have been forced to flee from their homes and over 200 million people are affected by disasters caused by natural hazards each year”.
He stated that Plan International believed humanitarian work goes beyond providing immediate relief but was about restoring, fostering resilience and empowering communities in the face of adversity.
Adolescent girls
Mr Tchona said responding to the needs of adolescent girls who were the most at risk when disasters struck was a key focus of the organisation’s work and added that the organisation would continue to undertake activities to protect such children.
The participants
“Our commitment to humanitarian work is reflected in every effort we undertake to protect vulnerable children, support survivors of gender-based violence and strengthen social cohesion in communities affected by conflict and disaster,” he indicated.
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He mentioned that through the organisation’s integrated approach, they do not just respond to emergencies but they empower communities with the tools and knowledge they need to take charge of their recovery and build a future where people, especially girls, could thrive.
Remove barriers
The Gender and Influencing Specialist, Plan International Ghana, Esenam Ahiadorme, underscored the need for negative cultural norms and barriers to be removed to enable the girl-child and women to realise their aspirations.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh