By Samuel SAM
In the northern regions of Ghana, Safe Spaces has emerged as a transformative intervention providing adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) with supportive environments that foster personal growth, education and empowerment.
These initiatives are crucial for advancing gender equity and improving health outcomes in these communities.
Research conducted by Norsaac and Oxfam, two non-governmental organisations, highlights the numerous challenges faced by AGYW – including limited mobility, gender inequity and health risks. Safe Spaces has proven to be an effective response, offering these young women a platform to develop life skills, acquire education and engage with their communities.
Participation in these spaces is linked to improved health outcomes and educational attainment, with girls who regularly attend being less likely to drop out of school and more likely to pursue further education.
The ‘Power to Safe’ project, funded by Oxfam and implemented by a consortium in Ghana, is one of the key initiatives driving this change. Norsaac – one of the implementing partners – is working in the Sagnarigu and Savelugu municipalities of Northern Region, with other partners operating in Walewale, Accra and the Central Region. The seven-year project is currently in its fourth year and has already made significant strides.
In Garizegu, a community that faced high rates of drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and school dropouts, the introduction of Safe Spaces has been particularly impactful.
The project began by training 40 adolescents (20 girls and 20 boys) on critical sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) topics including menstruation, menstrual hygiene management, puberty, teenage pregnancies and substance abuse.
These sessions have not only increased knowledge but also empowered young people to become agents of change within their community.
The project’s mentors and champions have been instrumental in linking AGYW to SRHR service provision points, which has led to an increased demand for these services at local health facilities. The project enjoys strong support from all community stakeholders including chiefs, religious leaders, parents and young people, creating an enabling environment for open discussions on SRHR needs.
Regular activities such as ‘self-confidence, life skills and empowerment sessions’, youth talks and community-led campaigns on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) have been conducted to foster dialogue and leadership among young people.
These interventions have significantly boosted self-esteem and a sense of belonging among AGYW, enabling them to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
Oxfam representatives – including Assalama Sidi, Deputy Director in charge of West and Central Africa; and Caroline Stockmann, Oxfam International Board Chair – have expressed their gratitude for the commitment and dedication shown by Norsaac and Oxfam’s Tamale office in empowering young girls and women in the Bunglung and Garizegu communities.
Madam Fati Alhassan, a gender officer at Oxfam Ghana, emphasised the programme’s role in encouraging self-advocacy, raising awareness of rights and challenging gender norms that limit girls’ mobility and opportunities. She reiterated Oxfam’s commitment to promoting gender equity and empowering women, particularly in contexts affected by conflict or crisis.
Hajia Fauziatu Abdul-Rahman, Project Coordinator of ‘Power to Choose’ (P2C) at Oxfam Ghana, reported that the programme initially targetted 7,000 young people aged 10-24 years and currently benefits over 6,000 individuals – with zero teenage pregnancies recorded in the participating communities. She emphasised the importance of making informed choices related to family-planning, maternal healthcare and gender-based violence, which are key to bridging the gender gap.
As Ghana strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,
particularly those related to equal access to quality education, healthcare and the right to information, the ‘Power to Safe’ project is a vital contribution. The Health Interest Lead at Norsaac, Madam Blessilla Na-afoe Kandoh, noted that the project focuses on building the agency of adolescents and young people; empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
The project also engages parents and provides support to adolescent girls in managing menstrual hygiene through the provision of free sanitary pads and education on proper practices. Community members have called for policy implementation to enhance the rights of young girls and women, emphasising the need for greater investment from government and partners to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
For the future, continued efforts to expand and support Safe Spaces across Ghana will be crucial in fostering the empowerment and development of adolescent girls and young women, contributing to the broader goals of gender equity and improved health outcomes.
