CDI embarks on gender sensitization exercise
The Comprehensive Development Initiative (CDI), a non-governmental organization believes it is time for the government to step up its efforts in the fight against gender inequality, especially among women and girls in the Ghanaian society.
According to the group, women and girls are often neglected in the area of education as compared to their male counterparts.
“Take the home for example, if a parent has the opportunity to educate the male or female child, it is obvious that parents will go in for the male child, thinking that the female child will grow up and marry. So the inspiration for girls to grow up and become something better is mostly denied by gender roles splitting them from the beginning as children,” the Executive Director for CDI said.
The group also believes that cultural practices like widowhood rites, female genital mutilation, and early marriage play a key role in separating the girl child from the boy.
Comprehensive Development Initiative believes sensitization is the only way to change the status quo.
The group at a sensitization and health screening exercise educated participants on the need to embrace gender equality.
“We can change this through sensitization and education and I believe there is more room for improvement. Traditional authorities must also join in the fight against inequality since they play a key role in our society,” Baaba Asibu said.
According to her, they are faced with challenges as an organization in trying to educate parents on the need to give the girl child equal opportunities as their male counterparts adding that most parents in the fishing communities have the primitive idea that a girls place is in the kitchen since most of them will marry,” Baaba Asibu added.
The Executive Director indicated that funding has been a challenge for them as an organization thus calling on the general public for support.
“Our challenge as an organization has always been funding to carry out our activities especially in Winneba where we operate since there are not enough corporate organizations to support us,” she said.
Health screening exercise was also done for participants who took part in the sensitization exercise where health professionals were on standby to advise them on what action to take after going through the screening.
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