[ 2014-10-17 ]

World Vision Calls For Intensive Sex Education For Teens
The Regional Advisor of World Vision, Miriam
Iddrisu, has noted that unequal power relations
between men and women often limit women's control
over sexual activity and their ability to protect
themselves against unwanted pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

According to her, adolescent girls are
particularly vulnerable when it come to sexual
activity and stressed the need to conduct
campaigns to increase awareness of the adolescents
in Ghana.

Miriam Iddrisu was presenting a paper on the
topic: "Gender in Reproductive Health at day's
engagement with editors and media owners in
Sunyani.

The engagement platform was created by Global
Media Foundation with support from Safe Abortion
Fund (SAAF) under its 3-year project: Advocating
for Young People Access to Safe Abortion and
Contraceptive services in Brong-Ahafo

Madam Iddrisu noted that It is unpardonable that
in the 21st century motherhood remains so
dangerous for so many.

According to her, It is not only morally wrong but
also hampers economic development and the survival
and well-being of families, communities and
nations as a whole.

She said reproductive rights include the right to
decide the number, timing and spacing of children,
the right to voluntarily marry and establish a
family, as well as the right to the highest
attainable standard of health, among others.

The Regional Advisor therefore stressed the need
to address gender equity in reproductive health in
order to achieve poverty reduction in the
country.

She said gender inequality and discrimination harm
girls' and women's health directly and indirectly,
throughout the life cycle

Madam Iddrisu challenged the media to use access
to information provisions to report on gender
equality and women’s human rights issues and
further urged the media to use their platform to
reduce gender stereotyping in society.

In his address, the CEO of GlomeF, Raphael Godlove
Ahenu Jr. said the legal status of abortion is not
necessarily the most important factor determining
availability of safe abortion services.

He said other equally importance factors include
the national policy, the attitude of the health
professionals, the public and the socio cultural
norms of the country.

Mr Ahenu Jr. noted that stigma associated with
abortion often leads women to seek unsafe,
clandestine procedures, saying "Women who have
abortions may face disapproval from their families
and society at large and may want to avoid being
seen or identified in a health facility".

He therefore called on the media to increase
public awareness to help reduce stigma associated
with abortion.

Source - Pat Aboagyewaa

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