{"id":4389,"date":"2025-09-01T14:23:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T14:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/?page_id=4389"},"modified":"2025-12-13T20:41:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T20:41:05","slug":"promoting-adolescent-safe-spaces-pass-project","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/promoting-adolescent-safe-spaces-pass-project\/","title":{"rendered":"PROMOTING ADOLESCENT SAFE SPACES (PASS) Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4389\" class=\"elementor elementor-4389\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f433772 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f433772\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a24c467 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a24c467\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fc86f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0fc86f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GENDER AND EMPOWERMENT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91cf2a5 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu__text-align-aside elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"91cf2a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;vertical&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-caret-down\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 320 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menu-item-object-page menu-item-4732\"><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/promoting-adolescent-safe-spaces-pass-project\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">PASS<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4730\"><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/fashion-expressions-project\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">FASHION EXPRESSIONS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-menu-bar\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M104 333H896C929 333 958 304 958 271S929 208 896 208H104C71 208 42 237 42 271S71 333 104 333ZM104 583H896C929 583 958 554 958 521S929 458 896 458H104C71 458 42 487 42 521S71 583 104 583ZM104 833H896C929 833 958 804 958 771S929 708 896 708H104C71 708 42 737 42 771S71 833 104 833Z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-close\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M742 167L500 408 258 167C246 154 233 150 217 150 196 150 179 158 167 167 154 179 150 196 150 212 150 229 154 242 171 254L408 500 167 742C138 771 138 800 167 829 196 858 225 858 254 829L496 587 738 829C750 842 767 846 783 846 800 846 817 842 829 829 842 817 846 804 846 783 846 767 842 750 829 737L588 500 833 258C863 229 863 200 833 171 804 137 775 137 742 167Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-91cf2a5\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4731\"><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/centre-for-empowerment-and-enterprise-development-ceed\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">CEED<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4732\"><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/promoting-adolescent-safe-spaces-pass-project\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">PASS<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4730\"><a href=\"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/fashion-expressions-project\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">FASHION EXPRESSIONS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6be8539 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6be8539\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbc027c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cbc027c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7d56bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7d56bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PROMOTING ADOLESCENT SAFE SPACES (PASS) PROJECT <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54700c8 elementor--h-position-center elementor--v-position-middle elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-slides\" data-id=\"54700c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;transition_speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"slides.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-slides-wrapper elementor-main-swiper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Slides\" dir=\"ltr\" data-animation=\"fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper elementor-slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-e6542b8 swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"DSC_0174\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-7604f7f swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"IMG_5892\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-8d1f74a swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"PASS_2024_BIS06154\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54c7bab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54c7bab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>International Needs Ghana, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is implementing the Promoting Adolescent Safe Spaces (PASS) project as part of the Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage. Launched in 2019, the project was initially implemented in the Cape Coast Metropolis and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality but has since expanded to three additional districts: Mfantsiman, Agona West, and Assin Foso Municipalities, reaching approximately 87 communities in the Central Region of Ghana. The primary goal of the project is to ensure that girls fully enjoy their childhood, free from the risk of child marriage, while empowering them to take control of their own lives.<\/p><p>PASS employs a structured approach, utilizing health workers, teachers, and community volunteers to deliver a 31-hour curriculum to engage adolescents in safe spaces.<\/p><p><u>Safe Spaces for Adolescent Girls<\/u><\/p><p>The safe spaces serve as a platform for adolescents, including pregnant adolescent girls, adolescent mothers, victims of child marriage, school dropouts, girls with special needs, and school-going girls. These adolescents access critical support services and engage in educational activities that affect their well-being and development. These spaces provide a s supportive environment where girls can gather weekly to play, learn, and receive guidance from trained community facilitators. Girls are encouraged to voice their concerns and ask questions about issues affecting them. The project engages adolescent girls in discussions on:<\/p><ul><li>Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR)<\/li><li>Menstrual Health Management (MHM)<\/li><li>Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)<\/li><li>Child rights<\/li><li>Life skills development<\/li><\/ul><p>S<u>afe Spaces for Adolescent Boys<\/u><\/p><p>In 2022, adolescent boys and young men were introduced as partners in the fight against child marriage. This approach aims to encourage positive masculinity and promote gender-equitable norms that challenge harmful cultural practices. These boys and young men also become allies in advocating for fairness and equity while fostering positive masculinity among themselves to prevent gender-based violence and discrimination.<\/p><p><u>Parenting and Caregiver Teams<\/u><\/p><p>In addition to the girls and boys, parents are engaged in sessions on positive parenting techniques and effective communication to strengthen parent-child relationships. Platforms are created for adolescent girls and boys to interact with their parents and caregivers, sharing matters that affect them. In these sessions, parents and caregivers listen to their adolescents in a supportive environment to build trust, connection, and strengthen family bonds.<\/p><p><u>Stakeholder Engagements<\/u><\/p><p>In collaboration with key institutions such as the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), and the Ghana Education Service (GES), as well as through direct engagement with adolescents, PASS strengthened the capacities of state institutions, including the Domestic Violence and Victims&#8217; Support Unit (DOVVSU), planning and budget officers, and other relevant stakeholders. These institutions received training on child marriage, ASRH&amp;R, SGBV, and the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent girls. The collaboration also enhanced adolescent-friendly services, facilitated case referrals, and encouraged adolescent girls to report abuse or seek support at child-friendly centers.<\/p><p>A key component of PASS is community engagement. Platforms are created for adolescent girls, parents, and caregivers to discuss strategies for ending child marriage and other harmful practices.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Key Achievements<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>About \u00a0<strong>10,701 adolescent girls and <\/strong>\u00a0<strong>3,223 boys<\/strong> have been\u00a0 reached\u00a0 across <strong>87 communities<\/strong> and engaged<\/li><li>Contributed to the 64% decline in adolescent pregnancy situations in the Central region of Ghana, as indicated by a study conducted by the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) report from 2014 to 2023.<\/li><li>Engaged 2,138 parents and caregivers in discussions on positive parenting and child protection.<\/li><li>Enrolled <strong>38 girls and 6 boys<\/strong> in skills training programmes.<\/li><li>Facilitated the return of <strong>15 adolescent mothers<\/strong> to school.<\/li><li>Trained adolescent girls in safe spaces to <strong>sew reusable sanitary towels<\/strong>, addressing period poverty in their communities.<\/li><\/ul><p>Through PASS, adolescents were empowered to advocate for their rights, while communities gained the knowledge and tools necessary to protect and support them. By fostering collaboration among adolescents, families, and institutions, the project made significant strides toward ending child marriage and creating a safer, more inclusive future for girls.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a67d1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6a67d1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GENDER AND EMPOWERMENT PROMOTING ADOLESCENT SAFE SPACES (PASS) PROJECT International Needs Ghana, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is implementing the Promoting Adolescent Safe Spaces (PASS) project as part of the Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage. Launched in 2019, the project was initially implemented in the Cape Coast [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4389","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4389"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4389\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5126,"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4389\/revisions\/5126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalneedsgh.org\/25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}