Norsaac and UNICEF Ghana embarked on an impactful journey to evaluate the Promoting Adolescent Safe Spaces (PASS) project in the Tolon district of Northern Ghana. The primary aim of this endeavor was to assess the effectiveness of the PASS project in creating safe spaces for adolescents while also evaluating how well the project has shifted mindset in gender roles in the homes.
The PASS project, a collaborative effort between Norsaac and UNICEF Ghana, has been instrumental in advocating for and establishing safe spaces for adolescents to fully realize their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights within the Tolon district. It has also aided in the improvement of shared gender roles in the home between parents and siblings of different genders by establishing what is referred to as the Modeled Gendered Household initiative. The Modeled Gendered Household initiative also aims to promote intergenerational dialogue between young people and the elderly as a way of ensuring that a conducive environment is created for adolescents to freely discuss pressing issues pertaining to their growth.
These safe spaces serve as platforms for adolescents to access critical support services, engage in educational activities about their sexual and reproductive development, and participate in discussions on issues affecting their well-being. Amidst the challenges faced by adolescents in the region, including poverty, limited access to information about their personal growth, and cultural barriers, the PASS project stands as a beacon of hope, empowering youth to realize their full potential.
One of the key pillars contributing to the success of the PASS project is the invaluable contribution of Legal Literacy Volunteers (LLVs). These dedicated volunteers selected from the community have shown interest in serving as people who will help enlighten other community members about the content of the project. The LLVs are trained on legal issues, gender role sharing, and channels to pass when they need help with any of the subjects.
These volunteers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between legal knowledge and community members, particularly adolescents. Through once in a week meeting with community members, LLVs educate other community members especially Modeled Gendered Household about the rights and responsibilities of children, legal protections, and avenues for seeking redress. By enhancing legal literacy parents, LLVs are empowering them to be able to promote the sexual rights of young people and to provide them the space for them to freely the navigate complex legal systems, advocate for their rights, and protect themselves from exploitation and abuse.
The monitoring team from UNICEF Ghana expressed overall satisfaction with the feedback and response received from the community. The positive engagement and feedback from the community members served as a testament to the project’s efficacy in creating safe spaces and fostering a supportive environment for adolescents.
During the recent impact evaluation visit by UNICEF’s monitoring team, the feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Adolescents spoke passionately about the transformative impact of the PASS project on their lives, highlighting the newfound sense of confidence, knowledge, and agency they have gained. Parents and community leaders expressed gratitude for the tangible improvements witnessed in the behavior and well-being of adolescents since the inception of the project. Moreover, the monitoring team from UNICEF Ghana was generally pleased with the level of community engagement, the effectiveness of project interventions, and the commitment of Norsaac and its partners to sustainable development goals.
Furthermore, the monitoring team recognized and commended the pivotal role played by the LLVs in ensuring the project’s successful implementation and that it was a new initiative borne out of the needs of community. Their unwavering dedication to empowering adolescents with legal literacy and advocacy initiatives was highlighted as a driving force behind the positive reception from the community.
The collaborative efforts between Norsaac, UNICEF, and the dedicated legal literacy volunteers have yielded remarkable results in promoting safe spaces for adolescents within the Tolon district. The impact evaluation visit served as a reaffirmation of the project’s positive influence on the community, emphasizing the importance of fostering safe environments for adolescents to thrive.
The PASS project serves as a testament to the power of collective action and grassroots initiatives in fostering positive change. Through the tireless efforts of organizations like Norsaac, supported by partners such as UNICEF, we can create a world where every adolescent has the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their circumstances.