Golden Inspires Foundation (GIF-Ghana), in partnership with SWIDA Ghana, commemorated the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence under the global theme “UNITE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls” with a two-school outreach held at Tolon Senior High School in the Tolon District and Dagbon State Senior High School in the Yendi Municipality.

The outreach forms part of the organisations’ joint commitment to promoting gender equality, advancing youth empowerment, and addressing the emerging threats of digital violence affecting young women and girls in Northern Ghana.The programme empowered students with essential knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Education, Sexual Orientation, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, and leadership development, while equipping them with practical tools to identify, prevent, and report harmful practices both online and offline.

Interactive discussions allowed students to openly engage with facilitators on issues such as cyberbullying, online harassment, consent, bodily autonomy, and positive leadership behaviours.During the sessions, facilitators highlighted the growing rate of digital violence in Ghana and beyond, noting that a 2023 report by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation revealed that 41% of young Ghanaian women aged 18–30 had experienced online harassment, while over 65% had received unwanted sexual messages.

These statistics underscored the urgency of educating young people on safe digital practices, online rights, and reporting mechanisms. Real-life examples of girls whose education and mental well-being were affected by cyberviolence were shared to strengthen awareness and encourage vigilance.

Objectives of the Outreach The initiative sought to:Increase students’ knowledge of SRHR, GBV, and digital safety.Promote respect, gender equality, and responsible online behaviour.Build the confidence and leadership potential of young people, particularly girls.Strengthen students’ capacity to recognise and report GBV and digital abuse.Inspire safer, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.

The outreach reached hundreds of students across both schools, sparking insightful discussions and empowering young people, especially girls, to speak up against violence. Teachers reported increased student interest in understanding GBV-related issues, while many students expressed renewed confidence in advocating for their rights and supporting vulnerable peers.

The programme also encouraged boys to become allies in the fight against GBV, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and community protection.Golden Inspires Foundation and SWIDA Ghana reaffirm their commitment to supporting schools and communities through continuous advocacy, capacity building, and youth-focused interventions aimed at ending all forms of violence against women and girls.Together, we continue to UNITE for a safer future for every student.