Project Summary
EquiAccess is a pioneering initiative by the Starlight Foundation focused on strengthening access to justice for street-connected children in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. The project targets children aged 15-18 and their families, emphasising inclusive justice through legal education, rights awareness, and community engagement. By training youth advocates and establishing partnerships with local justice stakeholders, EquiAccess creates a supportive ecosystem that addresses the unique challenges faced by street-connected children.
Problem Statement
Street-connected children face significant barriers to accessing justice due to:
- Societal stigma and discrimination
- Limited awareness of their legal rights
- Inadequate child-sensitive support systems
- Lack of formal identification and representation
- Poor access to tailored legal aid services
- Discrimination from law enforcement and community members
- Poverty and unstable living conditions
- Insufficient safe reporting mechanisms
Why this initiative?
The pressing need for EquiAccess stems from the systematic exclusion of street-connected children from the justice system. These vulnerable youth often remain invisible within legal frameworks, unable to advocate for themselves or seek protection. The initiative addresses these gaps by creating a comprehensive support system that combines legal education, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure justice becomes accessible and responsive to their needs.
Project Objectives
- To empower street-connected children through comprehensive legal education and rights awareness programs
- To establish and train a network of youth advocates who can effectively support their peers
- To develop partnerships with local justice stakeholders for improved child-sensitive services
- To create safe and accessible reporting mechanisms for street-connected children·
- To transform community perspectives and reduce discrimination against street-connected children
- To build a sustainable and inclusive justice environment responsive to diverse needs
Project Activities
- Interactive Legal Literacy Workshops
- Tailored sessions for street-connected children
- Rights awareness and education programmes
- Practical skills development
2. Youth Advocate Training
- Selection and training of peer advocates
- Advocacy skills development
- Leadership capacity building
3. Stakeholder Engagement
- Training for law enforcement
- Collaboration with social workers
- Partnership building with legal aid services
4. Community Outreach
- Awareness campaigns
- Focus group discussions
- Community dialogue sessions
Rationale
EquiAccess addresses a critical gap in Ghana’s justice system by focusing on the specific needs of street-connected children. The project’s multi-stakeholder approach ensures sustainable impact by:
- Building capacity within communities
- Creating sustainable support networks
- Fostering long-term behavioural change
- Addressing systemic barriers to justice
- Promoting inclusive and equitable access to legal resources
Novelty
EquiAccess stands out through its:
- Community-driven approach centring on youth advocates
- Direct engagement with street-connected children as both beneficiaries and partners
- Comprehensive stakeholder involvement
- Focus on sustainable behavioural change
- Integration of child-sensitive approaches in justice delivery
- Emphasis on peer support and advocacy
Join Us—Support Us Today!
We invite organisations, individuals, and stakeholders passionate about child rights and justice to join us in creating a more equitable and accessible justice system for street-connected children. Together, we can build a supportive ecosystem that ensures every child’s voice is heard and their rights are protected.
This comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate justice access needs but also works towards creating lasting systemic change in how street-connected children are perceived and treated within the justice system.