Lariba Zuweira Abudu, Minister Designate for Children and Social Protection speaking at the event
Minister designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection has pledged to run an open-door policy and collaborate with stakeholders in the promotion of social and political rights of women and girls. Hon. Lariba Zuweira Abudu says government recognizes the need for more effort in the promotion of rights and empowerment for women and girls. According to the Minister, “my doors are always open for conversations to strengthen the effectiveness of our work. I look forward to engaging with you and the partners on the different aspects of the programme”. She was speaking at the official launch of STAR-Ghana Foundation’s Gender Rights and Empowerment Project (GREP) in Accra. “ I want to end by expressing the ministry’s gratitude to our long standing partners including STAR-Ghana Foundation, who have actively sort out to collaborate with the ministry and other government agencies to promoting rights of citizens, particularly women and girls rights” the minister designate added.
Team Leader for Human Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Enyonam Azumah says “the project is consistent with the second priority of UK’s international development strategy to provide women and girls with the space they need to succeed by educating girls, empowering women and ending violence against women and girls”. She maintains, “the UK believes in the significant roles that civil society can play in fostering gender equality in women and girls empowerment”
Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu (2nd from left), Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, assisted by Lariba Zuweira Abudu (2nd from right) to officially unveil GREP
For his part, Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu in his welcome address reemphasized how the GREP provides the opportunity to strengthen partnerships and work towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. “By itself, GREP would not be able to do much or everything, but we think that in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders, we would be able to make significant difference through coordinating, sharing lessons, and working together” Alhaji Tanko argues.
“By itself, GREP would not be able to do much or everything, but we think that in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders, we would be able to make significant difference through coordinating, sharing lessons, and working together”
Several key stakeholders including Parliament, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service were present to share solidarity messages at the launch. Other actors who participated are Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice(CHRAJ), DOVVSU, GREP civil society partners, the media and the like.
Some participants at the launch
About GREP
Gender Rights and Empowerment Programme (GREP) is a STAR-Ghana Foundation project funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It seeks to increase the effectiveness of civil society advocacy and influence for women and girls’ political and social rights, particularly rights to inclusive and quality social services and participation in public governance at the national and sub-national levels. The overall goal of GREP is to contribute to increased access to rights and quality social services for women and girls. The programme covers 6 regions, including the 3 regions in northern Ghana, Central, Eastern and Volta regions. GREP is primarily targeted at Promoting women and girls’ access to education and health services, Preventing, and responding to gender-based violence and Supporting women’s political participation among other objectives.