ARHR has organized a co-creation training workshop to strengthen advocacy for gender-transformative Reproductive Health Education (RHE) in Ghana. The one-day event, held with funding from UNFPA Ghana, brought together young people, women-led civil society organizations, and creative art influencers to develop a joint advocacy action plan.
On behalf of the Executive Director of ARHR, the Communication Manager, Doris Ampong, welcomed participants to the workshop. She emphasized the urgent need for government accountability in ensuring that young people have access to inclusive and transformative RHE. She noted that while Ghana has policies on reproductive health, gaps in implementation continue to deny adolescents the information and services they need.
Participants were taken through sessions on the policy landscape of RHE, advocacy strategies, and accountability mechanisms. The highly interactive workshop also showcased successful art-based and youth-led advocacy initiatives, inspiring participants to use creativity and collaboration as tools for change.
Participants examined Gender-Transformative Approaches (GTA) that actively challenge harmful gender norms and power imbalances. Facilitators emphasized that GTA in RHE empowers women and girls, engages men and boys as allies, and dismantles barriers so that everyone can exercise their reproductive rights equally.
The session further underscored the importance of accountability, which was defined as responsibility, answerability, transparency, and continuous monitoring. Participants explored how improved accountability strengthens trust between communities and government, enhances the quality and reach of RHE, and creates measurable standards for progress.
A key outcome of the training was the co-creation of a stakeholder-driven advocacy action plan. The plan outlines strategies such as policy dialogues with the Ministry of Education, social media campaigns led by influencers, the creation of a RHE scorecard, and art-based advocacy to raise public awareness.
The workshop reflects ARHR’s vision of equity, accountability, and community empowerment and is expected to spark sustained advocacy for inclusive and transformative reproductive health education across Ghana.
