The Women, Media, and Change Organization (WOMEC) has joined hands with the global community to emphasize the importance of empowering girls and promoting their rights and well-being as Ghana joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child.
This year’s theme, “Digital generation. Our generation,” underscores the significance of addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by girls in the digital age.
In a statement issued and signed by Dr Charity Binka, while celebrating the strides made in gender equality, acknowledges that the digital era brings both opportunities and challenges for young girls.
“In Ghana, as in several other regions, girls encounter obstacles such as cyberbullying, online harassment, unattainable beauty standards, and privacy concerns. They struggle with the pressure to conform to digital trends and the idealized images perpetuated by social media. These challenges can significantly affect their self-esteem, safety, and overall well-being.”
“To surmount these challenges and empower Ghanaian girls, WOMEC issues a resounding call to action for all stakeholders within our community to foster the efforts to protect these girls. Our mission is to Empower, Educate, and Elevate girls, enabling them to flourish and reach their fullest potential in this digital age. WOMEC believes that every Ghanaian girl deserves the opportunity to thrive in this digital age. Our unwavering commitment is to empower and educate them, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they require to confidently, safely, and responsibly navigate the digital world.”
While applauding the government of Ghana for establishing the Cyber Security Authority to regulate cybersecurity activities, WOMEC is appealing for the development of special programs on cyber security for school children at all levels.
“WOMEC, however, is appealing to authority to go beyond regulation to developing special programmes on cyber security for school children across all levels. This will empower the young girls to identify the challenges and potential of the internet and how to protect themselves from cyberbullying.”
“WOMEC is appealing to social media platform users, schools, and civil society organisations to create and nurture safe digital environments where girls can express themselves without the looming spectre of judgment or harm. We encourage women and role models to step forward as mentors, offering guidance and support to girls embarking on their digital journey. WOMEC also implores parents, educators, and community leaders to prioritize digital literacy for our girls, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to harness digital technologies effectively.”
“We all have the responsibility to ensure that the internet remains a safe space for the girl child. By equipping them with digital skills, knowledge, and a secure online haven, we will ensure that girls not only survive but also thrive in the digital generation,” the statement added.
WOMEC is a non-governmental organization dedicated to championing gender equality, empowerment, and positive societal transformation. Their initiatives are laser-focused on uplifting girls and women in Ghana, heralding the dawn of a brighter future for Ghanaian society and beyond.
