Sexual demands in exchange for support —plight of adolescent girls

 Some girls in three re­gions have lamented over the demand for sex by men in exchange for help, a situation that often results in teenage pregnancies.

The concern was raised during a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-led consultations with more than 200 adolescents out of which 80 per cent were girls.

The consultations, done in partnership with govern­ment, created safe spaces for girls between the ages of 10 and 19 to share their challenges and aspirations, and proposed solutions.

Participants were drawn from Wa, Kumasi and Tema, covering the Upper West, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions.

Seventeen-year-old Fausti­na, one of the participants, spoke about the harsh reality many girls face.

“The men who support us often demand sex in return, which leads to pregnancies. Some of us are willing to work, but there are very few opportunities available. If we had access to jobs, we would gladly take them so that we can move away from this harmful lifestyle,” she revealed.

The initiative forms part of Ghana’s national prior­ities for adolescent girls’ well-being and aligns with the broader West and Central Africa agenda to secure a brighter future for girls.

UNICEF Ghana’s Adoles­cent and Gender Lead, Irene Tumwebaze, said the perspectives shared will guide programmes in health, education, child protection, climate resilience, digital inclusion, mental health, and life skills.

“When we listen to adoles­cent girls and boys, we gain an unfiltered understanding of their realities and as­pirations,” she explained. “These consultations are not just about listening; they are about action. The voices of adolescents, particularly girls, will help shape policies and programmes that invest in their potential, advance gender equality, and ensure a brighter future for all,” she added.

She asserted that the engagements highlighted the urgent need to place ado­lescent girls at the centre of decision-making processes, ensuring their voices and leadership influence policies that directly affect their lives.

UNICEF and its partners, Madam Tumwebaze em­phasised, have pledged to continue translating these insights into concrete action by strengthening programmes that empower adolescent girls and provide them with the opportunities needed to thrive.

 By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu