E.U Week Drawing Competition- Winners Receive Prizes

By Stephen K.Effah
Saturday, 10 May 2008

Ten pupils were on Thursday presented with their prizes for their outstanding performance in a drawing competition with a focus on gender equality which formed part of the European Week celebration in Ghana.

The children, aged between eight and 10, were presented with school bags stocked with stationery.

They include Regina Sai Obodai, Michaela Efua Appiah, Leets Agbado, Maama Akita, Esther Dede and Enamm Ati Woka, all of Morning Star School in Accra.

The rest are Aretha Bamford of Akosombo International School, Sharon Asomani Wiafe of Bishop Bowers School, Eugene Kwajaye Hayford of Believers Hope Preparatory School and Rhoda Naa Akuyea of St. Bernadette Soubirous School.

Their works were selected from 88 entries received from seven out of the 10 regions in the competition, which was launched on March 8, and aimed at raising awareness on the need for a gender balanced society.

The children, through their drawings, depicted the many skills and potentials that men and women have in common, and suggested how equality can be incorporated into households through sharing of household chores equally.

Speaking at an exhibition of the drawings in Accra on Thursday, Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Ghana, said the children also highlighted some of the special assets nature has given to women "making them even more equal or unique as mothers".

He said that the 10 drawings will represent one of the African countries in the ACP region, noting that two drawings each will be selected from the ACP countries, Asia, Latin America, the Mediterranean and the neighbouring countries of the EU to receive 1,000 euros.

Mr Sebregondi said the works of the global winners would be published into a booklet for worldwide distribution, and also be used for an exhibition in Brussels during this year’s international day for the elimination of violence against women.

He said that all over the world today, girls and women have less opportunities than boys and men, especially in education and their professional lives.

"Therefore, equality between women and men was chosen as the topic of a drawing competition which the European Commission in Brussels launched on International World Women’s Day 2008," he stated.

He indicated that it is not only knowledge and laws, education and justice, brains and stamina, that are needed to ensure gender equality in the world today but also vision and creativity.

He commended all children who participated in the event and demonstrated very creative ideas on gender equality.