A school should be one of the safest places for a girl to learn, grow and thrive. When girls find the courage to speak out, the systems around them must protect them, believe them and actnot remain silent.

At Fifty Fifty Initiative for Development (FFID), ending gender-based violence is central to our everyday work with girls and young women across Ghana. We listen to their experiences, recognise the challenges they face and understand the courage it takes to speak out against abuse.

Today, we stand in solidarity with the girls of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) and call for:

A full, independent and transparent investigation into the allegations.

Accountability for anyone found culpable, including those who failed to respond appropriately to complaints.

Survivor-centred support for every affected girl, including counselling, protection and continued access to education.

Protection from intimidation, stigma and retaliation for the girls and their families.

Stronger safeguarding and reporting systems in every school across Ghana to prevent abuse and ensure that complaints are handled promptly and appropriately.

Interdiction is not the end of this process. Justice, accountability and the protection of every affected girl must remain the priority.

To every girl who has found the courage to speak up: We see you. We hear you. You deserve to be protected, supported and treated with dignity. You are not alone.

Let us work together to build schools where every girl feels safe, respected and empowered to learn without fear.

#FFID #EndGenderBasedViolence #ProtectOurGirls #ChildProtection #SafeSchools #JusticeAndAccountability #GenderEquality