Gender Center Organize Training Program for University Students

On the 7th- 13th of July, the Gender Studies & Human Rights Documentation Center (GSHRDC) organized a "Women In Leadership Project" at Akosombo. This program targeted female university students from the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. This program sought to promote women empowerment and to sensitize the public on gender equality.

The GSHRDC is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization whose core values are to research, document and make policies concerning women and human rights. Their aims are achieved through their periodic programs and projects in various communities in Ghana.

The one week program for the female university students in leadership is part of its 4 year project dubbed "Women in Leadership Project" and they are in partnership with Womankind Worldwide and funded by the Netherlands Ministry of foreign affairs. The two key trainers of the participants were Miss Esther Darko-Mensah and Mrs. Dorcas Coker-Appiah. The participants were taken through the study areas of Gender, Human Rights and Leadership.

The 30 participants have received training to be gender sensitive and to sensitize and influence their various communities through their various leadership roles. This project is geared towards the achievement of the promotion of gender equality, women empowerment and to increase women participation in public leadership. One of the participants, Miss Oheneba Safoah the vice president of Akuafo Hall(University of Ghana), stated, ' I will use the knowledge acquired from the program to encourage my fellow ladies to come out from their comfort zones and take up challenging roles other than the gender assigned roles and positions for women"

According to Miss Esther Darko-Mensah, the participants trained are to make an impact in the society by educating others, mentoring and also using their lifestyle to set good example in their various tertiary institutions. This will lead them to their goal of achieving 'a society where women's rights are fully promoted and protected, and where they are able to participate in national development at all levels'. The trained participants are being prepared for leadership positions as they climb the ladder of life.

The Gender Center is open to support from individuals, businesses and organizations towards their programs and projects as they help promote women empowerment and gender equality for a better Ghana.

By Anita Z. Awolugutu
[email protected]