Vanessa Gyan
Radio and TV personality Vanessa Gyan is being celebrated by the United Nations (UN) for her continuous support to mothers and their children.
She has been featured in the UN first-ever #EqualEverywhere campaign for using her Sincerely, Vee NGO to raise gender equality awareness.
The #EqualEverywhere brings together the United Nations Foundation and partners committed to achieving the urgent systemic change that’s needed at all levels in all countries. Its aim is to build, nurture and mobilise communities of support for girls and women across and between countries, sectors and issues. Through this campaign, one gets to know champions for girls and women who are all fighting to make the birthright of equality for girls and women a reality.
Vanessa’s Sincerely, Vee Foundation is an outgrowth of her ‘Sincerely, Vee’ female empowerment show. Among the activities supported by the foundation is the ‘Post Pregnancy Boujie Express’, a maternal health initiative supporting postpartum women.
“EqualEverywhere to me means equality opportunities in life for all — from career choices to health care,” she said about the campaign.
“Back in 2016, I found out I was pregnant and started my prenatal care in Accra, Ghana. Around seven months, I left for New York, where I gave birth. During my pregnancy, I started noticing a gap in the healthcare system so I started having conversations with other women who had either had their full term pregnancy in Ghana or at least received some prenatal care here and they confirmed a gap exists in the system. I remember thinking I didn’t even receive a pamphlet or a magazine or a soon-to-be mom package. After giving birth to my son, I wanted to give something back that would raise awareness spur change, and put a spotlight on maternal health in Ghana. That’s when the ‘Post Pregnancy Boujie Express’ was launched. Every girl and woman deserves the opportunities that are open to men. Girls and women deserve the economic security they need to care for themselves, their families and their communities,” she was quoted by the UN’s website for the reason she decided to advocate equal rights for girls and women.
By Francis Addo