INTRODUCTION
The ‘SHE Lead campaign was launched on International Women’s Day (IWD) which is celebrated on 8th March each year. The celebration is to recognize women’s social, and economic and empower them to participate fully and equally in social development.
All avenues must be used to remind society of the proverbs,” if you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”. It is with this background that Plan International launched a media campaign dubbed “SHE Lead”
Since the Assembly was seen as a major facilitation for, SHE Lead activities and for that matter, the development of girl child in the district, a meeting was organized to deliberate with the heads of entities and other heads of departments on the need to budget or providing funds in support for Girls and young women to fully participate in public hearings and other Assembly’s statutory meetings. This in effect would improve their level of confidence in their socio-economic growth
BENEFITS
Girls and Women who are involved in decision-making derive the benefits which include;
- Higher levels of confidence
- Higher self-esteem
- Lower levels of depression
- Information sharing
PARTICIPANTS
The following were the participants for the program;
- District Co-ordinating Director
- Planning Officer
- Department Of Social Welfare & Community Development
- National Commission for Civic Education
- Information Services Department
- Gender Desk Office
- Budget Office
- IT Officer
The District Co-ordinating Director was the chairman for the meeting whilst the Gender Director was the Guest of Honor.
ISSUES DISCUSSED
The issue discussed was how Bosome Freho District Assembly could create a budget line to support Girls and Young Women within the District.
The District Assembly pledges to create a budget line to support Girls and Young Women in the Assembly’s Budget Review.
This will be achieved by advising the Social Services and Finance & Administration Sub-Committees to keenly consider ‘SHE Lead’ in their decision to the Executive Committee for consideration in 2022.
The decision/proposal will be channeled through the Executive Committee for consideration and final approval by the General Assembly in 2023 Assembly’s budget.
The approved recommendations will be captured in the Assembly’s Composite AAP and Annual Composite Budget for 2023 and the implementation of programs as captured in AAP and Budget for 2023. A guideline for including the SHE Lead activities in the Assembly’s budget was however planned and approved for further action.
CONCLUSION
When Girls and Young Women (GYW) are publicly involved in decision-making, it eliminates violence which intends help to achieve gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
