GirledUp Ghana’s Post

Access to #education for #youngwomen in Uganda has seen promising improvements over the years, with increased enrollment rates, especially at the primary level, thanks to initiatives like the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program. However, the transition to secondary and higher education presents significant challenges, as nearly 30% of young women drop out due to a range of socio-economic barriers. Poverty remains a primary obstacle, while societal factors like early marriage (affecting around 35% of girls), pregnancy (around 23%), a male-dominated cultural environment, and issues of safety and privacy further hinder their educational journey. At Flourish Hub, we are committed to fostering a #supportiveenvironment that actively addresses these barriers. Through #strategicefforts, we aim to create a more inclusive and empowering educational landscape that not only supports but champions girl-child education, empowering young women to thrive and contribute to their communities with confidence and purpose. #FlourishHub

To truly make a significant impact, it is crucial for the government to ensure that the program is not only launched but also effectively implemented with adequate resources, infrastructure, and support mechanisms in place. This includes targeted outreach efforts to reach marginalized communities, robust education and skill-building initiatives, and sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities for women and girls. Furthermore, ongoing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be established to assess the program's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Only through concerted and sustained efforts can the GEEEEP program fulfill its potential as a catalyst for positive change and empowerment for women and the girl-child across Nigeria. #GEEEEP #WomenEmpowerment #GirlChildEmpowerment #GenderEquality #NigerianGovernment #EmpowermentInitiative #SustainableChange https://lnkd.in/eEnsCEQJ

Discover how UN Women and the Ministry of Women's and Family Promotion collaborate to enhance educational opportunities for young girls in the Far North region of Cameroon. Their joint efforts focus on improving school conditions and addressing dropout rates, particularly during menstrual periods. This partnership emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive school environment that caters to the specific needs of female students. #GirlsEducation #EmpowerWomen. https://buff.ly/3yNycsX #Education #WomenEmpowerment

This is mega-big news! Seven young women we supported from postsecondary to university have finally graduated with their degrees. Only 1 in 260 girls in Tanzania are likely to reach that feat! Read the report to learn more about our impact in action. 👨🎓  https://lnkd.in/gr5RPcYz

African countries have made steady progress in closing gender gaps in access to education with Sub-Saharan Africa reporting a higher proportion of adolescent girls at the primary level in schools than ever before. However, the percentage of those who complete secondary education is still dismally low at 42%. This reflects the status of the world in terms of barriers affecting girls..." One of the key recommendations made from the #au_pancoged1 was to strengthen advocacy strategies to increase the enrolment of girls in schools, as well as bold confrontation of socio-cultural practices and policies that impede girls’ access [...] 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild 2024 https://lnkd.in/eEyx_sbb by Lorato Palesa Modongo and Boubakari Hachim

Empowered women empower women (and girls)! Accessing education is not just about learning to read, write and count; it gives women and girls options and opportunities, allowing them to play an active role in their communities, breaking the cycle of poverty, and closing the gender gap. Our pilot project in Somaliland drove an exceptional transformation in women's literacy and numeracy rates, with the number of women and girls able to read, write and count rising from 0% at baseline to a remarkable 92.3% at endline. But it doesn’t stop there. The impact extends beyond education as the project has also contributed to a 42% decrease in women's willingness to subject their daughters to FGM. We're now looking to replicate this in Galmudug province in Somalia, for out-of-school adolescent girls and young mothers from nomadic communities! Read more about the incredible impact of the pilot in our blog at https://ow.ly/Y4G050SnnLI #Somalia #WomensEducation #GenderEquality #EducationMatters

Every October 11, we commemorate the international day of the girl. This was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011. It is a dedication for advocating for the rights and empowerment of girls across the world. It also aims to highlight and address the challenges that girls face while The theme for 2024, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” highlights the urgent need for action and the persistent hope driven by the power of girls’ voices and visions. Despite progress, girls continue to face significant barriers, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and limited access to education and inadequate healthcare. According to UN reports, 132 million girls remain out of school and many more face society barriers that limit their chances for potential growth. Investing in girls’ education and empowerment is crucial, and as well, it is a fundamental right for every girl. Education holds great power to quip girls with knowledge and skills needed to break and escape the cycle of poverty and also pursue their dreams. Girls who are more educated are less likely get married at an early age, more ware of the healthcare services and make informed decisions about their reproductive health and more likely to educate their children in future. Despite of these benefits for education, African governments allocates only 4% of their GDP to education according to the World Bank. The underfunding of education still remains a significant barrier to progress especially for the girl child. By focusing on education, health, safety, economic empowerment, and leadership, we can transform the lives of adolescent girls. However, girls cannot achieve their vision alone, they need allies who listen and respond to their needs. Supporting girls and investing in proven solutions can create a future where every girl can fulfill her potential The International Day of the Girl is more than just a day of recognition; it is a call to action. It is a reminder that by empowering girls, we are investing in a more equitable and prosperous future for all. At Joy for Children Uganda, we are dedicated to listening to the voices of girls, supporting their visions, and working together to create a world where every girl can achieve her dreams. Let us join hands to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a better world #IDGC2024 #Girlsvisionforthefuture #Joyforchildrenuganda

"Hey! You know the odds are against you right?" 🤔 That's the challenge I've been facing head-on in Ghana, but it's not deterring me; it's igniting my passion to empower girls and change the narrative. As a nutrition expert, I've seen firsthand the barriers girls encounter in pursuing their dreams, especially in STEM fields, where they're often overlooked. But I refuse to let those odds define our future. My mission is clear: to empower girls across Ghana to realize their full potential and create a brighter tomorrow. It starts with education and I'm committed to helping out to the fullest of my potentials. Breaking down gender stereotypes is another crucial aspect of what I want to do. Providing girls with opportunities in every field, including science, where they've been traditionally underrepresented is a must do. By challenging norms and fostering a culture of inclusivity, we can unlock endless possibilities for their personal and professional growth. Health and well-being are also paramount. I believe that by prioritizing nutrition education and access to healthcare services, we can empower girls to make informed choices about their health, setting them on a path to success. Financial literacy and economic opportunities play a vital role in empowerment as well. That's actually why I'm passionately advocating for this, "equipping girls with the skills and resources they need to become financially independent; teaching the girl child not to always rely on men, but to create sustainable businesses and contribute to our nation's economic development. We can all do this as professionals, together, let's defy the odds and invest in the empowerment of girls in Ghana, unlocking their potential and building a brighter future for us all. #Empowerment 💪 #GirlPower 👧💥 #EducationForAll 📚 #GenderEquality ⚖️ #LinkedIn 🌐

Happy International Youth Day! Across the globe, young people are stepping up to address the challenges of our time, from climate change to social inequality. Their innovative ideas and bold actions are not just shaping the future—they're transforming the present. When I look around my community, I see the future taking shape in the hands of young people. There's Ewura Adams Karim who started Maltiti Foundation to help young women thrive in local communities of Northern Ghana. He didn't wait for the government or an NGO; he just saw a problem and decided to fix it. And then there's Banasco Seidu Nuhu who turned his love for coding and digital literacy into a platform that teaches young girls and boys how to build apps—apps that solve real problems in their communities. There’s also Dr. Amanda Bayeh who’s impactful work through the Amanda Foundation is driving positive change in rural communities. These stories aren't just happening in my backyard; they're happening across Ghana, across Africa, and the world. Young people aren't just talking about change—they are the change. From climate action to social justice, youth are at the forefront of movements that are transforming the world. On this #International #Youth #Day, let's celebrate the spirit of youth—their creativity, resilience, and unstoppable drive to make the world a better place. Because when the youth lead, the world follows. #InternationalYouthDay #YouthLeadership #SustainableDevelopment

Unlocking African women’s full economic capacity is projected to add $287bn in value to the continent’s GDP and create 23m new jobs by 2030, yet today, only 28% of young women complete secondary education. More research needs to be done won women and girls with disabilities. Obviously, my rural Igembe constituency in Meru Kenya do not have any existing desegregated disability data and thus still lagging behind. Generally speaking, Africa’s youth is driving economic and social progress, with its innovative ideas and entrepreneurial inspiration. With 40% of the population under the age of 15, and another 100m children expected by 2050, Africa is projected to have the youngest and largest workforce globally by 2035. Right now, 34m adolescent girls of secondary school age are not in school. Only 26% of young women in sub-Saharan Africa complete secondary education. About 8% are enrolled in tertiary education.  This translates into staggering losses in lifetime productivity and earnings equivalent to a $10bn loss in GDP across the continent. Importantly, we must understand and respect the unique roles many women play in their families and provide them with the right support. For example, many young mothers need affordable childcare options, transportation, and flexible work arrangements. This essential footing will enable them to pursue higher-paying jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, driving both innovation and economic diversification. According to Mastercard foundation the economic future of Africa depends on the empowerment of all young people. They play a full and meaningful role. Through education, economic integration, and a shift in mindsets, we can build a future where every girl can learn and every woman can earn, lead, and thrive. All in all, all stakeholders should come on board and save the Igembe constituency since marginalization is the order of the day.