The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Divine Torch Foundation, Miss Louisa Attah Akpoto, has called on parents and guardians to end discriminatory practices that favour boys over girls, warning that such attitudes continue to limit the potential of many young girls.
She made the appeal during a programme organised by the Dede Empowerment Foundation to support widows and single mothers while promoting hope and economic empowerment.
Miss Akpoto said many girls continue to face unequal treatment in homes and communities, where families often prioritise the education and welfare of boys at the expense of girls.
She described the practice as harmful to national development, stressing that denying girls equal opportunities undermines efforts to build a more inclusive society.
“Girls are equally capable of achieving greatness when they are given the chance. Parents must stop the practice of giving fewer opportunities to girls because it only limits their future,” she said.
According to her, empowering girls through education, mentorship and social support would enable them to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and the country at large.
She also called on traditional authorities, civil society organisations and government institutions to intensify advocacy efforts aimed at protecting the rights of girls and expanding opportunities for women.
The event brought together widows, single mothers, youth groups and community members to discuss challenges facing women and explore ways to improve economic empowerment and social inclusion.
Participants at the programme praised the initiative and called for sustained interventions to support vulnerable women and girls.
They noted that empowering women and girls remains key to reducing poverty, improving household welfare and strengthening national development.
