Kumasi, June 06, GNA – Alliance for Reproductive Health Right (ARHR) a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), has organized a two day workshop as part of efforts to build the capacity of stakeholders on reproductive health rights.
The capacity building programme, which was designed for community based organizations, community facilitators, health providers and the media, brought together 55 participants from the Ashanti, Central, Greater Accra and Volta regions.
It was held in two separate groups under the auspices of ARHR in collaboration with the United Nations population Fund (UNFPA) and the Canadian Government.
Brainstorming, role playing, games, drama, participatory approach, storytelling, field trips, practical demonstrations and a host of others were the strategies she advised stakeholders to use to facilitate adolescent access to reproductive education.
Giving an overview of the activities of the ARHR, Mrs Rhema Andah, a Programmes Officer of the ARHR, said the ARHR employed right approaches in its programmes to empower communities.
She said focus would particularly be on women of reproductive age for them to realize their sexual and reproductive rights and to demand protection, prevention and mitigation of abuses.
Mrs Andah said the various strategies though may be time consuming, would help the target group better understand the issues involved and also allow ideas from different perspectives.
“Share a good and interesting storylines, have facts right, a catching title, it should be reflective, and provide direct answers, involve all, do this and you would for sure reach the goal“, she said.
Speaking on the guidelines to delivering reproductive health messages, Mr Nii Sarpei, a facilitator at the event, said in the past parents used traditional methods in educating their wards adding that “this form of education is not enough for individuals to live well informed lives”.
He urged stakeholders to assist adolescents to acquire accurate and reliable information on their sexual right and health, and to nurture positive attitudes including open mindedness, respect for self and others.
Mr Wisdom Sackitey, a participant, also urged all to be advocates of the adolescent girls and boys in their various communities.
GNA