The Tobinco Foundation is a subsidiary member of the Tobinco Group of Companies. It operates as an NGO and also manages the Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions of all the Tobinco Group of Companies. The Foundation among other things supports various vulnerable groups including widows, orphans, the aged, and people living with disabilities as well as those with strange medical conditions who cannot bear the cost of their diseases. The Foundation generally works in the area of Education, Health, Livelihood and Economic Empowerment and Social Safety.
Each year the United Nation (UN) celebrates international women’s day on 8th of March to acknowledge women’s achievements throughout history and across nations in areas of social, economic, cultural and political achievements. Many events are organised worldwide by various experts to commemorate the day. Politicians, community developers, business leaders, as well as leading educators, investors, entrepreneurs and television personalities are invited to speak on different events on that day. Students are not exempted in these activities.
In the light of this the foundation is on its part bringing together influential women in the society from various fields of endeavor to share their experiences, in order to empower young girls to aim high and be able to also make it in life.
Over the years, there has been a slow progress in women’s growth in many places across the world. This not withstanding there are still many more places where women are marginalized. This calls for urgent action to ensure parity between women and men.
Many girls drop out of school either due to teenage pregnancy, lack of support from parents or guardians, peer pressure, lack of role models etc. This undermines girls’ rights to equal opportunities. To commemorate the 2016 International Women’s Day that falls on 8th March under the theme: “Pledge for Parity” , the Foundation is bringing together 50 female students from both public and private schools in the Ayawaso Central Municipality (Kokomlemle circuit) to interact with women who have climbed high on the social ladder and also to start a process of mentoring the to realize their goals and future aspirations.
The foundation is doing this under a sub theme: “Sustainability of Girls in School”. This is due to the fact that at the just ended annual health review for Greater Accra Region, it was revealed by the Regional Director of Health, Dr. Linda Van Otoo that ten thousand (10,000) teenage pregnancy cases were recorded in the year 2015 (myjoyonline.com 25/02/’16).
