INGH in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) implemented the TEYIA Project from February 2023 to September 2023. The goal of the project was to contribute to ending child marriage (ECM) by empowering youth to amplify their voices, demand their rights and challenge harmful traditional norms to enable a safe and just society. The project was implemented in 50 communities in 6 Metropolitan/Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central and Volta regions of Ghana.
8,044 people (female – 4,909 and male – 3,135 which includes 5,221 youth) have been engaged in policy advocacy to eliminate harmful practices such as child marriage at the community level. 50 youth safe spaces were established, serving a total of 3,223 people. 23 voices of change agents were trained to advocate for young people in the Central and Volta Region of Ghana. 36 youth were enrolled in various apprenticeship trainings as part of economic empowerment initiatives. A total of 51 sessions (15 radio sessions, 1 television session and 35 COMPAS sessions) were held in the Central and Volta Regions. The radio/COMPAS engagements comprised discussions on child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, youth empowerment, drug abuse and advocacy against harmful cultural practices. Eight cases were referred during the reporting period. The District Social Welfare and the Police have been notified of these eight cases of child marriage, defilement, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and child protection issues. Psychosocial support has been provided to all survivors.
Outcomes
The voices of change agents supported and represented youth from the communities to address issues such as child marriage, scrapping of taxes on menstrual pads, cohabitation, etc. At the community level, there were positive changes in perceptions and attitudes against pushing pregnant adolescent girls into cohabitation with the men responsible for the pregnancy. With increased knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, young people have learnt to relate well with one another and to speak confidently whenever they have the platform.
