Elevating Voices, Uplifting Spirits – Celebrating International Day of the Girl Child with Bethany Ghana
Charles Wundengba
Bethany Ghana shines a light on the undeterred spirit of young girls on this International Day of the Girl Child. Under the theme "Digital Generation, Our Generation," we stand in unity, amplifying the voices that often go unheard and ensuring equal digital future opportunities for all our girls, just like Esther.
Esther’s Beacon of Light Amidst Grief Esther, a 18-year-old vibrant soul, navigated through a tumultuous wave of sorrow after her father's demise. A blanketing grief overshadowed her lively spirit and her innate ability to express herself through drawing. Esther recollects, “For the past 4 years, I lost who I was.” But little did she know, a beacon of light, in the guise of Bethany Ghana’s Day of Happiness contest, would pierce through her shroud of sorrow, reigniting her dormant passion for art and design. Esther found a platform to express her joy visually, steering her onto a path where she could blend her pain with vibrant colors of hope, creating a future she had almost forsaken. “The Bethany contest made me remember what really makes me happy," She exclaimed. Esther's transformative journey is emblematic of the monumental impacts that occur when we invest in a girl's dreams and aspirations, not only benefiting her but weaving a richer, brighter fabric for society. Her stride into fashion school was more than a mere physical step; it was a monumental leap towards reclaiming her stifled identity and dreams.
The Struggles of the Girl Child - A Closer Look Girls like Esther face multilayered struggles in their daily lives. The absence of equal opportunities, especially in the digital realm, stunts their ability to access knowledge and stifles their voices. Furthermore, they battle against societal norms that devalue their education and potential in favor of traditional roles. Alarmingly, 1 out of 4 girls remain uneducated, unemployed, or untrained, a stark contrast to the 1 out of 10 boys who find themselves in similar circumstances.
These harrowing stats speak to a wider narrative where girls are tethered by expectations, limited access to education, and vulnerable to alarming rates of physical and psychological violence. Girls usually navigate through a labyrinthal path, threaded with obstacles.
Standing with Girls: Bethany Ghana’s Unyielding Support Esther's story intertwines deeply with the supportive structure offered by Bethany Ghana. Through our youth camps and various initiatives, we not only facilitate skill-building but also kindle a flame of self-worth within girls. Esther fondly shares, “I love Bethany Ghana camps because they teach us many skills. They also teach us how to be ourselves.” At Bethany, our foundational belief is that empowerment comes from equipping young minds with the right tools, skills, and knowledge. Recognizing the staggering challenges, particularly the girls face, we instill within them a spirit of resilience, grit, and faith, ensuring they are fortified with the strength to navigate through their journey.
International Day of the Girl Child: A Call to Elevate Every Voice Bethany Ghana champions the cause of every girl, ensuring they traverse a path where their dreams are not stifled but rather encouraged to soar. On this International Day of the Girl Child, we magnify our call to break down the digital and societal barriers hampering the potential of girls worldwide. Our programs are meticulously designed to elevate girls from the quagmire of restrictions, empowering them to construct a future where they are not mere participants but dynamic shapers of society. Let's collectively dismantle the barriers, ensuring every Esther out there accesses a future where her voice echoes across digital platforms, shaping an equal, vibrant, and innovative world.