Sexual violence and rape are significant issues in many parts of Ghana. A key factor contributing to this problem is the lack of understanding and respect for sexual consent. Sexual consent is a fundamental human right, ensuring that sexual interactions are based on mutual respect, communication, and agreement. Many people believe they have a right to sex, disregarding their partner’s consent. This attitude perpetuates rape culture and leads to high rates of sexual violence, particularly against women and girls. In Ghana, this issue results in unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other negative consequences. Addressing this through evidence-based interventions is crucial.
The Consent Matters Project aims to foster a culture of sexual consent among women, girls, and communities where DWoSO operates in Ghana. Our mission is to provide comprehensive education on consent, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and the importance of making informed choices. This initiative engages men and boys as allies, establishing sustainable mechanisms for promoting sexual consent. Activities include stakeholder engagement, radio dramas and talk shows, workshops, and community sensitization. The goal is to increase awareness and understanding of sexual consent, establishing sustainable structures for promoting a culture of consent.
Objectives
- Increase awareness and understanding of sexual consent among women, girls, and community members in the Gomoa East District.
- Engage men and boys to become allies in promoting a culture of sexual consent.
- Establish sustainable structures and mechanisms for promoting sexual consent in the Gomoa East District.
To make the concept of sexual consent more accessible and memorable, we use the acronym FRIES:
- Freely Given: Consent must be given without pressure, force, or manipulation.
- Reversible: Anyone can change their mind about what they want to do, anytime.
- Informed: Everyone involved must have all the information they need to make a decision.
- Enthusiastic: Consent should come from a place of excitement and eagerness, not obligation or fear.
- Specific: Consent for one act does not imply consent for another; each act requires its own consent.
These principles are integrated into all project activities to ensure that the concept of consent is clearly understood and practiced.
Activities
Participatory Stakeholder Engagement
We conducted participatory stakeholder engagements to introduce the project and seek support from key community leaders and organizations. This included meetings with the Gomoa East District Assembly, the District Chief Executive, the District Coordinating Director, and the District Director of Education. These engagements were crucial for fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring the success of the project.
Radio Drama and Talk Show on Consent
Radio dramas and talk shows are being utilized to raise awareness about sexual consent in an engaging and accessible manner. These programs feature real-life scenarios and discussions, helping to demystify the concept of consent and highlight its importance in everyday interactions.
Develop Consent Capacity Building Curriculum
A comprehensive consent capacity-building curriculum is being developed to educate and empower community members. This curriculum will cover essential topics related to sexual consent, gender-based violence, and healthy relationships, and will be used in workshops and training sessions.
Consent Workshop
Workshops are being conducted to provide in-depth education on sexual consent. These sessions are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and practice consent in their personal lives. The workshops emphasize the principles of FRIES (Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific).
Community Sensitization
Community sensitization activities have been carried out to raise awareness about the importance of sexual consent. These activities include community meetings and the distribution of educational materials. The goal is to reach a wide audience and foster a community-wide understanding of consent.
Engagement with Men and Boys
Engaging men and boys is a key component of the project. We are organizing workshops and discussion groups specifically for men and boys to educate them on the importance of sexual consent and their role in promoting a culture of respect and equality. This engagement aims to make them allies in the fight against sexual violence.
Workshop with Local Institutions
Workshops are being held with local institutions such as schools, health clinics, and community-based organizations to integrate sexual consent education into their programs and services. These workshops ensure that the message of consent reaches various sectors of the community and becomes a sustainable part of local education and support systems.
Consent Hub
What do you really know about consent? It’s a word we hear frequently, especially in today’s world where everyone emphasizes the importance of consent: “You need to seek consent first,” “You need to ask for consent,” “You need to give consent.” But what does consent actually mean?
Consent Hub is an initiative under the Consent Matters Project by DWoSO, designed to explore and demystify the concept of consent. We will be discussing the myths surrounding consent, the stereotypes, the different dynamics of consent in relationships, and much more.
Our goal is to create a platform where everyone can learn and share their knowledge about consent. Whether you’re aware of some aspects or completely new to the topic, Consent Hub is here to provide valuable insights and promote a comprehensive understanding of consent.
Join us on DWoSO Initiative’s social media channels as we embark on this journey. Through engaging discussions, informative posts, and interactive sessions, we aim to clarify what consent truly means and why it’s crucial in all interactions.
https://www.facebook.com/DWoSOInitiative/
https://instagram.com/dwoso_initiative?igshid=5kzj4fj0j8rk
https://twitter.com/dwosoinitiative?s=21
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dwoso-initiative
Resources and Support
We provide a variety of resources to support ongoing learning and advocacy, including;
- Educational Flyers and Brochures
- Online Interactive Content
- Access to Experts and Counselling Services
Success Stories
Our work has made a tangible impact in numerous communities. One notable success includes our engagement with 31 persons living with HIV/AIDS, where we provided crucial education on consent, helping participants understand its true meaning and how to apply it in their daily lives. By the end of the session, participants left with a clear understanding of consent and its significance, fostering a sense of autonomy and empowerment.
Get Involved
Join us in making a difference! Whether you’re looking to participate in our programs, volunteer, or support our cause, there are many ways to get involved:
- Attend a Workshop: Learn more about our upcoming events and register to attend.
- Volunteer: Become a part of our dedicated team and help us spread the message of consent.
- Donate: Your contributions enable us to reach more individuals and communities with our vital programs.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you! For more information about the Consent Matters Project, please reach out to us via info@dwosoinitiative.org
Links
https://atinkaonline.com/consent-matters-minority-group-empowered-to-make-informed-choices
