Renowned Ghanaian journalist and gender activist, Regina Asamoah, has been awarded the United States Department of State IVLP Impact Award Grant, 2024, for her ‘Young Voices Matter’ project, aimed at equipping young children with skills to combat gender-based violence (GBV).

According to information available on the website of the US Department of State, a total of 120 applicants from 101 countries were selected as recipients of the grant; and all awardees will receive financial support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with Meridian International Center serving as the implementing partner for their respective projects in their home countries.

The ‘Young Voices Matter: Empowering Boys and Girls in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence’ project is one of the selected few which stood tall among over 600 other projects submitted by individuals globally for the grant.

The educative project also aims at creating awareness of GBV involving children, and fostering a safe and supportive environment for both girls and boys.

It will be implemented in Accra, in partnership with Missing Children Ghana, an organization dedicated to finding children who have gone missing and reuniting them with their families.

This grant award follows the multiple award-winning Ms. Asamoah’s participation in the 2023 IVLP on Gender-Based Violence held in the United States upon her nomination by the U.S. Embassy Ghana. The program was organized by the U.S. Department of State in partnership with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Akron, and Gulf Coast Diplomacy.

She joined eight other children and gender advocates from Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Mozambique, South Africa, Nigeria, and Guinea for the three-week exchange program.

During the program, Regina Asamoah had the opportunity to learn from and interact with U.S.-based international organizations advancing the rights of children, women, and human rights. She visited six States, including Washington, D.C., Louisville, New Hampshire, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, where she learned more about Gender-Based Violence and American culture.

In a brief remark, Ms. Asamoah expressed her gratitude for the recognition and support from the IVLP Impact Awards, stressing that it is a win for the ordinary Ghanaian child who has faced or is facing GBV whether openly or silently.

“I do not consider this award a personal achievement. It is an achievement of the young people. it is a victory for every child and young person who has faced GBV, those who are being abused and bullied into keeping mute. Together, we will amplify their voices and create lasting change,” she said.

Her project underscores the power of education and community involvement in addressing GBV and sets a promising precedent for similar initiatives in the future.

“My IVLP Impact Award Project will stand as a beacon of hope in the ongoing struggle against GBV. Together, we can cultivate a future where every individual can live free from fear and oppression,” Ms. Asamoah stated.

Impact of the “Young Voices Matter” project

The “Young Voices Matter: Empowering Boys and Girls in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence” project is set to make a substantial difference in the lives of children and young people across Ghana.

The project empowers young boys and girls to become champions of change in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) by instilling in them the necessary skills to recognize and prevent GBV, and also provide vital support to survivors.

Additionally, the ‘Young Voices Matter’ project will create a generation of youth who are not just bystanders but active agents of change in ending GBV in schools.

Project activities

The project will engage 100 pupils from two selected schools in educational sessions designed to equip them with the knowledge and tools to combat GBV. These sessions will be supplemented by a workshop involving 10 teachers, enlightening and empowering them to effectively address GBV issues within their classrooms and school communities.

A training manual will be developed for the teachers, which will subsequently serve as part of project sustainability.

Again, two compelling 5-minute documentaries will be produced from the trainings of the pupils and their teachers.

At the end of it all, participants are expected to become informed advocates demonstrating knowledge and skills to tackle GBV and to effect tangible change within their schools and communities.

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

The IVLP is a professional exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State. Launched in 1940, IVLP aims to build mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Participants are nominated and selected annually by the staff at U.S. embassies worldwide.

The program connects leaders with their American counterparts and offers a broad array of experiences, from cultural exchanges to professional networking opportunities.

Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implements the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Awards initiative.

The IVLP Impact Awards are an extension of the IVLP, recognizing and supporting alumni who have proposed innovative and impactful projects in their home countries. These awards provide financial and logistical support to help implement projects that address critical social issues and contribute to community development. By empowering IVLP alumni to continue their work and expand their influence, the Impact Awards foster a global network of leaders committed to positive change.

Guiding the interactive session was Regina Asamoah, the Executive Director of Missing Children Ghana. As she engaged with the young participants, she emphasized the importance of knowing comprehensive information about their families, including parents’ full names and contact details. Ms. Asamoah stressed that such details are vital for reuniting children with their families if they were ever to go missing.

“Knowing your parents’ name in full, their contact numbers, where they work, the name of the school you attend, where you stay, and which major landmark is close to your house are very important in helping to reunite you with your family in case you get missing,” she emphasized.

Ms. Asamoah who is also a child advocate, further urged mentors to ensure that children are adequately prepared for emergencies during events. Recommending identifiable attire in bright colors and the establishment of safe meeting points, she underscored the importance of fostering a sense of collective responsibility among the children.

“When you travel with the children for events, you have to ensure they all come in an identifiable attire, preferably bright colors. You have to encourage each one to look out for the other. You identify a safe spot where any of the children should go and wait for you in case they lose track of you. Always learn to prepare the children for emergencies,” she advised.

Addressing the mentors directly, Regina Asamoah encouraged them to be attentive and responsive to the needs of the children, particularly when they seek guidance at church. She emphasized that mentors often play a crucial role in the lives of children, and their attentiveness could potentially save a child from dangerous situations arising from abuse or poverty.

Belgian social worker Florence Van den Hende, who volunteers with Missing Children Ghana, urged the children to maintain awareness of their surroundings and promptly report any suspicious activities to their parents or guardians. Van den Hende, leveraging her dual role, emphasized the importance of children being vigilant and actively contributing to their own safety by communicating any concerns to their caregivers.

Representing the church, Mrs. Bessie Anoh Bonsu, the Teshie District Missionette Sponsor, expressed gratitude to the Missing Children Ghana team for conducting such an insightful session. She acknowledged the pivotal role the church plays in ensuring the safety of children and expressed confidence that the lessons learned would be disseminated within the church community to protect children from violence and exploitation.

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Source: Mymctvonline.com || Regina Asamoah