Empower Girls & Women in Ghana with Fawohodie

Introduction
The Empower Girls & Women in Ghana with Fawohodie project by the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) continues to make significant strides toward enhancing the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and economic independence of vulnerable girls and young women. Over the past few months, we’ve made considerable progress, including setting up a dedicated counseling room at the Fawohodie Centre and releasing a baseline research report in collaboration with Send a Smile e.V. on the Sisters Health and Rights Initiative (SHRI).

Project Milestones (May - August 2024)

1. Counselling Room Set-up
We are excited to announce that a counseling room has been established at the Fawohodie Centre. This dedicated space provides young girls and young mothers with essential mental health and emotional support. Victoria, a professional nurse, has been offering counseling sessions three times a week to support these vulnerable groups in navigating their personal challenges and making informed decisions about their reproductive health and futures.

2. Baseline Report Release: Sisters Health and Rights Initiative (SHRI)
On September 1st, 2024, we released a comprehensive baseline report based on research conducted between SCEF and Send a Smile e.V. The SHRI project was initiated in 2023 to safeguard the health and rights of vulnerable women and sexually exploited girls in Accra, Ghana. The goal of SHRI is to provide these individuals with education, resources, and opportunities that enable them to make autonomous decisions about their bodies while becoming economically and emotionally independent.

Key Findings from the SHRI Baseline Report

Executive Summary
The report highlights the challenges faced by sexually exploited women and girls, many of whom suffer from substance abuse, limited access to health services, and exploitation. Despite these hardships, a large percentage of women expressed a desire to exit prostitution and pursue alternative careers, especially in hairdressing and makeup artistry.

Key Statistics:

• 57% of sexually exploited women consume alcohol to engage in prostitution, while 49% use drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.
• 28.5% work under the control of a pimp or manager, and 37% of these women can make independent decisions about their earnings.
• 62.2% of sexually exploited women were aware of their human rights, while 56.6% knew about their sexual and reproductive health rights.
• Only 14% of sexually exploited women had ever tested for cervical cancer, and 23% had never tested for HIV.
• 38% of women reported never having access to a peer educator for SRHR services, highlighting a critical gap in support.

Recommendations from the Report

The report recommends the following key actions to improve the well-being of sexually exploited women:

• STI and cervical cancer screening: SHRI should offer regular screenings and facilitate access to reproductive health services.
• Psychological counseling: Many of the women turn to alcohol and drugs to cope with their situation. Regular counseling sessions are essential to help these women manage their addictions and improve their mental health.
• Peer education: SHRI should increase access to peer educators who can provide critical SRHR education and support.
• Skills training: Women expressed a strong interest in learning hairdressing and makeup artistry, presenting an opportunity to offer vocational training as a pathway out of prostitution.
• Condom provision: Both male and female condoms should be readily available to sexually exploited women to reduce the risk of STIs and unwanted pregnancies.

Next Steps and Future Plans

In the coming months, the Fawohodie project will focus on:

• Expanding psychological counseling services at the Fawohodie Centre, especially for young mothers and at-risk girls.
• Partnering with healthcare professionals to ensure regular STI and cervical cancer screenings for all beneficiaries.
• Strengthening the peer education program to bridge the gap in sexual and reproductive health services and awareness.
• Providing skills training in hairdressing and makeup for those wishing to exit prostitution and pursue sustainable livelihoods.

Conclusion

The Empower Girls & Women in Ghana with Fawohodie project has made significant progress over the past few months, with the establishment of a dedicated counseling space and the completion of a baseline study on sexually exploited women. However, much work remains to be done to ensure that these vulnerable women have access to the resources, education, and support they need to live healthier and more independent lives.

We are grateful to all our supporters on GlobalGiving for enabling us to continue this vital work. Your generosity empowers us to create safer, healthier, and more hopeful futures for girls and women in Ghana.