The rapid expansion of digital technology has created new avenues for education and development but has also exposed women and children to emerging forms of abuse, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has warned.
The Commission has therefore called for stronger cooperation among state institutions, civil society groups, traditional authorities, educators, parents and communities to protect vulnerable groups and promote equality in the digital age.
The call was made during a two-day sensitisation workshop in Ho organised under the Support to Human Rights, Gender Equality and Civil Society Project (S(HE)).
The project is being implemented jointly by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ Ghana), CHRAJ and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
The workshop brought together representatives from public institutions, schools and universities, civil society organisations, women’s groups, organisations of persons with disabilities, child rights advocates, the media and traditional leadership.
Participants were expected to deepen their understanding of gender-transformative approaches, human rights and the protection of children in the digital environment.
Mrs Joy Anima Debrah, Deputy Director of Public Education at CHRAJ, said the digital revolution had brought significant benefits but had also created risks such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, harmful gender stereotypes and other forms of abuse.
She noted that women and children were often disproportionately affected by such threats.
Mrs Debrah said protecting human rights in an increasingly digital society required a coordinated approach involving government institutions, development partners, traditional leaders, educators, parents, faith-based organisations and community members.
“Sustainable change can only be achieved when all stakeholders work together to promote equity, inclusion and accountability,” she said.
She said CHRAJ’s partnership with GIZ under the S(HE) Project, which began in 2024, had supported efforts to advance gender equality, combat discrimination against women and strengthen the protection of children’s rights, particularly online.
Mrs Debrah urged participants to use the workshop to share experiences and develop practical responses to the challenges facing women and children in the digital era.
“Technology should become a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion or harm,” she said.
Ms Martha Ofori, Technical Advisor at GIZ Ghana, said the workshop formed part of the second phase of the S(HE) Project, which seeks to expand human rights and gender equality advocacy beyond institutions and into communities.
She explained that while the first phase focused on strengthening institutions, the second phase was aimed at equipping the wider public with knowledge to confront discrimination, injustice and abuse.
The workshop, which began in Takoradi last month before moving to Ho, was designed to promote interaction and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders working to build safer and more inclusive communities.
Mr Kenneth Kponor, Volta Regional Director of the NCCE, described civic education as a shared national responsibility and urged participants to disseminate the knowledge gained in their communities.
He said respect for human rights, gender equality and civic responsibility were essential to Ghana’s democratic development and national progress.
“As a society, we should not focus only on politics. Human rights, gender equality and civic responsibility are equally important in building a strong and democratic nation,” he said.
Mr Kponor urged participants to become ambassadors of the project by sharing the information with people who were unable to attend the workshop and helping to promote respect for human rights and child protection at the community level.
