Plan Ghana WVIL Leadership Project
We are pleased to announce that through the Women’s Voice in Leadership Grant funded by Global Affairs Canada and Plan Ghana, Yayra-Si Youth Foundation is undertaking a 6 month long project to provide vocational skills training to women in Ghana in male-dominated fields.
Mobilization
In March, YSYF made the first training recruitment announcement in Shai Osudoku via the local Information Centre. We received more than 200 calls from the community, from which 178 young women registered in our database of prospective trainees. Screening interviews were conducted with 145 of these women. From this cohort, 12 women were enrolled in our training program. 4 girls are currently receiving on-the-job training in electricals, 5 in tilling and another 3 in upholstery.
We will continue to post updates about this project to our social media accounts and website over the next few months. We are grateful for the support we received from our partners and from the community in advancing women’s education — medaase!
Distribution of Tools
As part of our project to support the vocational training of young women in male-dominated trade areas, we provided free training tools and materials to 12 young girls to support their practical education. These young women are learning important skills in electricals, tilling and upholstery through attachment to masters in the field. With these skills, they will be equipped to earn an income in the future.
Domestic Violence
On May 2, 2023, with the continued support of Global Affairs Canada and Plan Ghana International, YSYF Ghana organized educational talks on domestic violence. It was held at Mataheko-Afienya in the Greater Accra Region. The cohort was addressed by Lawyer Lois Adu from Women in Law and Development in Africa Foundation (WilDAF) Ghana. She spoke about the challenges some young couples face in the family unit. She addressed the causes of such violence, its adverse effects, and how to prevent them in various homes and societies. Adu mentioned that an important cause of domestic violence was financial difficulties and misunderstandings between couples within their homes. She adds that the best way to prevent domestic violence is to start from the grassroots, immediately addressing such behaviour by reporting it to the police. Furthermore, she advises that prevention should be done earlier, iterating that we should avoid forcing marriages in our communities to reduce domestic violence, not just in Ghana but throughout African countries.
Training Seminar
On May 30th, James Asumah, YSYF Ghana Project Manager, visited the young women enrolled in electrical training at Clear Power Electricals Company in Afienya Mataheko in the Greater Accra Region for monitoring and evaluation. During the visit, Mr. Clearforce, the facilitator for the trainees, commented that the girls’ were making steady progress in learning electricals.
According to Clearforce, they have been able to capture more than what was required to understand the fundamental skills of the field. Based on this trajectory, he predicts that within two months, they will have the ability to carry out board work (practical applications of their teaching) as well as perform tasks without supervision.
Ayekoo (well done) to our trainees for their dedication to learning, and for demonstrating strong teamwork and idea-sharing skills, which has helped them to progress through this accelerated training program
Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Seminar
On May 24th, with the continued support from Global Affairs and Plan Ghana, YSYF organized educational talks on sexual and reproductive health and rights to 132 students and community members in Shai-Osudoku. The seminar was held at Doryumu Basics School, with Lois Adu from WiLDAF Ghana and health personnel from the Doryumu Clinic leading the discussion. Education was provided on the menstrual cycle, sexual and reproductive rights, general human rights, and personal hygiene.
Participants were grateful for the discussion and requested that we arrange educational talks once every school term. Overall, the program has received positive feedback from the community and we are hopeful to continue expanding our efforts in sexual and reproductive health education in this region.
