The US Embassy Ghana Woke Women Network had their GBV luncheon event at Mobile Web Ghana on 11th September 2019. The focus of the event was the launch of the Woke Women Network. The network is aimed at educating women and girls on their sexuality and the fight against gender-based violence. In attendance were Stephanie Sullivan, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Roberto Quiroz II the Counselor for Public Affairs to the US Embassy, Mrs. Judith Dzokoto-Lomoh, the Deputy Comptroller General of Ghana Immigration in charge of Finance and Administration, and Mrs. Joyce Acolatse, Accra Girls’ Senior High School head.
The event started with a welcome address by the director of Mobile Web Ghana, Florence Toffa. Counselor for Public Affairs, Mr. Roberto Quiroz II introduced the US ambassador to Ghana, in the person of Stephanie Sullivan. The ambassador first commended the good work all the members of the Woken Women Network were doing in their contribution to the fight against gender-based violence in Ghana. She encouraged everyone to continue with their advocacy work. Her speech further touched on the realities of gender-based violence and highlighted the good work that the Woke Women Network has done. You can find the transcript of her remarks in this link.
Myra Brown, the founder of the network, also gave a speech about how the Woke Women Network was formed and its goal. She emphasized the need for cases of gender-based violence to be addressed amicably. The next session had some gender-activists and students who had benefited from programs organized by the Woke Women Network, share their experiences. Two students attested to the fact that the training programs were of great help to them. They added that it helped boost their self-confidence which even contributed to their excelling in their academics. One student also explained that, through the program, she was able to have the courage to report to the Woke Women Network about the sexual harassment her father was making her go through. She is now free and looking on to further her education at a tertiary institution in Accra. The headmistress of Accra Girls’ Senior High was also happy to share the importance of the program to her girls. She said her students who participated in the program are more confident than before. They are more knowledgeable about gender-based violence issues and their sexual and reproductive health and rights. She encouraged the network to continue having such programs.
There was a presentation of certificates to the pioneers of the Woke Women Network. The awards were presented by the US Ambassador.
Dr. Dzifa Attah, a psychologist and one of the members of the network gave the vote of thanks. After that there was ample time for interaction and picture-taking. The event ended with a luncheon and networking amongst participants.