A maiden teen girls club, the FOLOS Girls Club, has been launched in Ghana to ignite confidence in teenage girls and equip them to shape their own future. The club, described as a dynamic sisterhood of young girls united by purpose, passion and power, aims to raise and nurture girls to achieve their goals while advocating against early marriage, child labour, teenage pregnancy and gender inequality. The club was launched by Friends of Little One School (FOLOS).
The midwife behind the initiative, Racheal Hesse Matey, has over 15 years of practice experience and has attended to pregnant girls as young as 14 and 15 years. She revealed that some of these girls also contracted sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Ms. Hesse Matey encouraged the girls to stay focused, determined and hardworking in pursuit of their career aspirations and to take their studies seriously.
Addressing the girls at the launch event, Ms. Hesse Matey urged them to rely on the support of parents, teachers, and mentors. She also cautioned them about negative peer influence and pressure from boys and men. Referencing a drama performed at the event, she warned the girls to avoid relationships that could derail their future and to embrace positive influence.
Ms. Hesse Matey commended the club’s motto, “Strong Together, Brighter Tomorrow,” noting that it reflects the essence of unity in securing a bright future. She said the club stands for confidence, education, leadership, sisterhood and support, gender equality and advocacy, as well as service and positive impact.
The midwife emphasized that educating a woman has a positive impact on the entire nation. “Being a girl child is not all. Being a woman is not all. It goes beyond that. If you educate a woman, you have educated a whole nation,” she said. The club aims to build confidence and equip girls to advocate for their education and champion gender equality.
The FOLOS Girls Club is a movement of young women daring to dream, lead and transform their communities. The club’s vision is to create a dynamic sisterhood of young girls united by purpose, passion and power. By launching this club, FOLOS hopes to inspire and empower teenage girls to shape their own future.
The launch event featured a drama performance where a girl was lured by friends into relationships for material gains, resulting in loss of virginity and teenage pregnancy. Ms. Hesse Matey advised the girls to open up to their parents and teachers about challenges they face and to adhere to guidance given to them.
Key points
- The club aims to advocate against early marriage, child labour, teenage pregnancy and gender inequality.
- The midwife has over 15 years of practice experience and has attended to pregnant girls as young as 14 and 15 years.
- The club’s motto is “Strong Together, Brighter Tomorrow,” reflecting the essence of unity in securing a bright future.
