The issue of Domestic and Gender-based violence is a topic of concern and as such the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development was tasked to educate and sensitize community members on this social issue. Staff organizes outreach programs in communities, schools, churches, mosques, and market centers to educate them on issues of Gender-Based violence, crisis intervention and Hotline operations in the municipality.
Hence on Monday the 21st of March 2021, some key staff together with the head of department of social welfare and community development from Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly organized a one-day training session to educate and sensitize school children of AME Zion Primary School on actions that constitute domestic violence, some of the causes of domestic violence, long-term and short-term effects of domestic violence and ways to call for help. They were also educated on when to report, where to report and the emergency numbers to call and report domestic violence cases. The following numbers were given to them to call; 0800800800 or text to 8020 for a prompt response or call 0302986877 hotlines to seek shelter when the need arises.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and the Children’s Act 560 are the instruments adopted to promote and protect the rights of children in Ghana. Child protection issues such as personal hygiene using role play, child development activities using illustrations from the child development flash cards, and children’s rights and responsibilities at home and at school. The school children were also sensitized on the need to focus on the upcoming Junior High School Examinations that will lead to the graduation to senior high school. They were made to appreciate the importance of pursuing vocational skills in vocational schools if they had interest in that. At the world is constantly evolving, so is the world of work. Using group demonstrations, the students were asked to use the toolkit to group household chores for boys and girls. After the groupings, they indicated that the chores for the girls were too many than that of the boys. This set the debate amongst them for some time and the offices then educated them on the effects the many chores had on the girl child. The boys were sensitized to also help out in some of the chores at home to achieve greater equality and provide a safe and protective environment for each child.
Furthermore, officers in charged of the exercise intensified the COVID-19 sensitization regarding the safety protocols of the pandemic at Nsawam Zion Primary School during a mass meeting with pupils. The sensitization focused on observing social distancing with friends since this protocol is often ignored due to familiarity with others. Washing hands with soap and water, coughing in the bend of the elbow, avoiding shaking of hands of acquaintances, wearing of face mask, and using hand sanitizers where there is no water to wash their hands.
Officers also educated pupils on the importance of Vaccination, as well as the COVID-19 vaccination. They were told that, like all vaccination, the COVID 19 vaccine can have side effects, although not everybody will experience these side effects. The categories of people who are qualified to take the Vaccination are adults 18yrs and above excluding pregnant women. Children were not eligible for the vaccination in Ghana currently and when the vaccine for children in Ghana is available, they will be notified.
It was a mixed reaction from the students as they both stated the importance of the activities they each did at home and school and they wanted to know why it was like that. They were educated to relearn.
