Lily Mohammed: Promoting Gender Equality Through Media Advocacy in Ghana

Lily Mohammed has emerged as a powerful advocate for gender equity within Ghana’s media space. Rather than just reporting news, she actively challenges the systems that uphold inequality, particularly for women and girls. Through her media platform, she addresses issues facing vulnerable females, thus transforming journalism into an instrument for significant social change.

A key area of her advocacy has been the struggles of female head porters, known as kayayei. These young women often migrate from northern Ghana to southern urban areas, where they face exploitative working conditions, homelessness, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. Lily uses her platform to elevate their stories and highlight their struggles, urging policymakers and civil society to recognize their plight and create sustainable solutions such as vocational training, safe housing, and healthcare support.

Moreover, Lily is a strong proponent of gender-sensitive governance. She engages directly with government officials and traditional leaders on national television, including programs like GHOne TV’s Hard Talk. During these discussions, she highlights the underrepresentation of women in political and decision-making roles, and notably questions the delay in enacting Ghana’s Affirmative Action Bill, emphasizing that without legal and structural support, sentiments about equality will remain merely words.

Lily’s dedication to gender justice also extends to her field of work. She frequently addresses issues such as workplace harassment, unequal opportunities, and the lack of mentorship for young women in journalism. Consequently, she actively mentors emerging female journalists, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, empowering them to navigate their careers with confidence, integrity, and ambition. This effort not only enhances women’s representation in media but also strengthens gender diversity within the industry.

Additionally, she believes that grassroots efforts are essential for achieving gender equity. Lily often discusses barriers to girls’ empowerment, such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, and insufficient access to menstrual hygiene products. Through her shows and public engagements, she advocates for comprehensive sexuality education, free access to sanitary products, and the establishment of safe learning environments for girls. She considers early intervention crucial for cultivating a generation of confident, educated, and empowered young women.

Lily also emphasizes that national policies and budgets must be responsive to gender needs. She champions the idea of gender budgeting, which ensures that allocations address the unique requirements of women and girls. She has consistently argued that no national development plan can be truly inclusive unless it considers the varied impacts of policies based on gender. This calls for better data collection, transparency, and the integration of women’s perspectives in planning and evaluation processes.

Furthermore, her initiatives are consistent with the wider feminist movement in Ghana, which utilizes media and digital platforms to inform the public and advocate for systemic change. Her approach aligns with this movement as she strategically leverages her media presence to influence public discourse, sway decision-makers, and enhance civic awareness regarding women’s rights.

In conclusion, Lily Mohammed’s advocacy for gender equity demonstrates a profound commitment to transforming narratives, systems, and outcomes for women in Ghana. She sheds light on overlooked populations like kayayei, demands policy accountability from national leaders, fosters gender-sensitive governance, mentor women in the media, and advocates for the rights of girls in vulnerable communities. Through her efforts, she illustrates that media can serve as more than just a reflection of society; it can be a powerful voice for justice, a platform for reform, and a driver of inclusion.

Ultimately, her advocacy plays a vital role in shaping Ghana’s journey toward a more equitable and inclusive future for all genders.