PRO-LINK, others address gender issues

Published in the Daily Graphic on 18/03/2010 pg 11

Story: Matilda Attram
PRO-LINK Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to educating women on health issues, in collaboration with the Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre and the Ghana AIDS Commission, has underlined the need for intensive public education on negative traditional practices and social norms that lead to sexual violence and sexual abuse against women and children.
The organisations have, therefore, made a presentation to the Ministry for Women and Children’s Affairs on the issue. That was after they embarked on a walk to educate the public on the negative effects of sexual abuse and the possible increase in HIV infection, in commemoration of the celebration of International Women’s Day marked on March 8.
It also formed part of PRO-LINK’s project drawn to address gender issues in the country.
Issues raised in the statement to the ministry touched on inhuman widowhood rites in some areas of the country, the need to review the age for the performance of puberty rights, since underage girls were regarded as matured for marriage after undergoing such rites and the need for traditional leaders and family heads to reduce the cost of dowry to enable would-be couples to maintain a cordial relationship that would help them cater for their children and enhance family cohesion.
Others are the need to make Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) medical services available at all levels to all survivors of sexual violence within 72 hours of the incident, the need to effectively enforce Child’s Policies and the Children’s Act relating to age limits for persons who patronise nightclubs, drinking bars, game and video centres, and the sale of alcoholic beverages to children under 18 years.
The rest are the need to review the time for showing obscene films that make use of strong language and violence on television, which has created problems for parents in the guidance and control of their children, and the need to review and intensify moral and life skills education in basic schools.
The Deputy Director of PRO-LINK Ghana, Madam Getrude Nunoo, said the HIV pandemic in Ghana had a significant gender dimension which must be addressed, and pointed out that about 58 per cent of women constituted the HIV population in the country.
She stated that in Ghana it was estimated that two out of every 10 women had their first experience of sexual intercourse by force, while gender inequality left women with less opportunities to negotiate for safe sex.
She said for that reason the organisation had embarked on the implementation of innovative and aggressive initiatives in HIV high prevalent communities in the country, and mentioned some of these communities as the Fanteakwah and Lower Manya districts in the Eastern Region, Kumasi metropolis and Obuasi Municipality in the Ashanti Region, as well as the Damgbe East and West districts in the Greater Accra Region.
The Head of Programmes for PRO-LINK Ghana, Madam Ethel Sackitey, said even though advocacy activities were ongoing in the various communities, some of the issues required government intervention in terms of the enforcement of existing laws.
The Deputy Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Madam Hawa Boya Gariba, who received the statement on behalf of the sector minister, commended the organisations for their public educational programmes.