The Ghana Chapter of Defence for Children International (DCI-Ghana) says sustained investment in girls’ leadership and advocacy is enabling more girls and young women to confidently speak up for their rights and take part in decision-making processes.
The organisation says its long-running “She Leads” initiative has significantly strengthened girls’ participation in leadership, while also influencing policy discussions at both national and community levels.
Speaking at a Regional Learning and Sharing Workshop for Girls and Young Women leaders in Kumasi, Programmes Manager Faustina Osei Prempeh said many beneficiaries who once hesitated to speak out are now actively advocating for themselves on issues affecting their welfare.
She noted that the transformation was evident in the final stages of the project, when more girls began publicly addressing challenges affecting their communities.
Although the She Leads Project officially ended last year, she said DCI-Ghana has secured new funding support from the Valley Foundation in the Netherlands to sustain and expand the initiative.
The follow-up programme, the Girls’ Rights Project, builds on earlier gains while widening its focus to include harmful social norms such as child marriage, sexual violence, technology-facilitated abuse, and neglect.
Ms. Osei Prempeh explained that more than 42 girls’ groups formed under the earlier project are being supported to continue their advocacy work, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and local leadership.
A key feature of the initiative, she said, is that girls themselves are now leading advocacy actions at district and regional levels, rather than relying on adults to speak on their behalf.
The project also provides socio-legal support to help victims of abuse access justice, particularly in communities where awareness of reporting systems remains low.
DCI-Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening girls’ rights, protection, and empowerment as part of broader efforts to promote inclusive national development.
