This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
Breaking Taboos and Empowering Girls in Northern Ghana ¶
Salifu Mohammed, a 25-year-old SRHR advocate from Northern Ghana, has dedicated his life to promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in his community. Born and raised in Tamale, Northern Ghana, Salifu witnessed firsthand the social norms and practices that deprive young girls of their rights and value in their families and communities.
According to Salifu, girls in his community are often ignorant of their SRHR, leading to a high rate of teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and child marriage. Determined to make a change, Salifu took a bold step to become a promoter of SRHR and joined the Girl's Advocacy Alliance (GAA) project as a National Youth advocate for Plan International.
Through his work with Plan International and the local NGO SONGTABA, Salifu has been able to rescue over 10 girls from child marriage in the past two years. He credits the organization's 'Champions of Change' manuals for providing valuable guidance on discussing girls' empowerment issues.
ICPD+25: A Life-Changing Experience ¶
Salifu's life was forever changed when he attended the ICPD+25 conference, where he gained immense knowledge in advocacy and learned how to overcome challenges in his work. He describes the experience as the 'best ever' in his life as an advocate.
At the conference, Salifu met new people who shared their challenges and successes in their countries. He networked and shared ideas on how to approach stakeholders on sensitive issues, learned how to pitch his advocacy ideas, and even shared his expertise on Power and Influencing mapping in Advocacy.
Salifu's experience at ICPD+25 has prepared him for bigger tasks ahead in his advocacy work. He is now back in Ghana, eager to implement the knowledge and skills he gained at the conference.
Plans for the Future ¶
Salifu has five key plans to implement in the coming months. He aims to organize a step-down training for his colleagues, use existing platforms to promote SRHR, draw and implement an advocacy action plan targeting policy makers and parents, partner with other youth to hold state actors accountable, and involve more boys and men in ending child marriages and GBV.
Salifu concludes by calling on Plan International to continue supporting young people in creating avenues for dialogue with people in power. Together, they can make the world a better place for the youth and young girls.
