The Department of Sociology and Anthropology, in partnership with International Center for Research on Women, has launched Behind the Scenes Project (Btsproject Gh).
This project seeks to generate evidence and eliminate all ills against women in the creative space in Africa through a comprehensive multidisciplinary research and policy formulation.
The project which is funded by Mastercard puts the spotlight on young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and is simultaneously being run in six African countries, including Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Senegal and Kenya.
Ms. Anita Akua Akuffo addressing the launch
Ms. Anita Akua Akuffo, a multi-talented and award-winning Broadcaster with TV3, was named as the brand ambassador for Btsproject Gh.
As brand ambassador, Ms. Akuffo has the onerous responsibility of projecting the research that will be conducted, as well as addressing gender issues affecting young ladies in the creative industry and organizing workshops.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro, indicated that there was insufficient facts and data on abuses and inequalities in the creative industry because victims were tightlipped on their harrowing experiences.
As a result, she insisted that adequate actions could not be taken to bring sanity to the industry to engender the necessary development.
Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro speaking at the event
Prof. Oduro, who is also the Country Lead for the Project, assured stakeholders that all efforts would be made to devise multiple innovative data collection methods to get different voices from various aspects of the creatives.
“We expect to gather adequate data from the participating countries to take action, and our expectation is that the story of the creatives will be different,” she said, calling on all stakeholders to get involved to change the narratives.
For his part, the Central Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Mr. Ebenezer Nti, said there was no space for gender-based violence in the creative sector, and advocated for the change in the culture of silence.
Some students at the launch
He called on stakeholders to establish support systems and enact protective policies to protect the interests of women in the creative space.
“Many victims suffer in silence, fearing damage to their reputation but if you keep quiet, how can policy makers support? Let us voice out so that policies can be formulated to guard and protect us,” he added.
Mr. Ebenezer Nti making remarks at the launch
He emphasised the urgent need for collective action, stating, “Gender-based violence not only violates the fundamental rights of survivors but also weakens our national developmental goals. Together, we must work to create a safe and equitable society for women and girls.”
On his part, Ms. Akuffo said it was a major barrier impeding the progress of women in the creative industry and must be addressed with urgency to enable women flourish.
She called for collective responsibility, stating that “ending violence against women and girls is possible when we unite to dismantle barriers that perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Let us commit to promoting the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls in Africa.”
Source: Documentation and Information Section