By Solomon Gumah
Walewale (NE/R), June 27, GNA – The North East Regional Department of Gender has held a two-day workshop to sensitise apprentices on gender equality, roles and stereotypes, and adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The workshop, held with support from the United Nations Population Fund, was to equip the apprentices with essential knowledge and skills on gender equality, gender roles and stereotypes, and adolescent SRHR as well as connect them with youth-friendly health services available within their communities.
About 92 participants, including tailors, hairdressers, makeup artists, masons, and carpenters were drawn from the Yunyoo/Nasuan District and the West Mamprusi Municipality.
Mrs Bushira Alhassan, Northern Regional Director, Department of Gender, educated participants on the clear distinction between sex and gender.
She urged participants to reflect on how traditional beliefs such as the idea that men should handle physical labour while women cared for children, had limited opportunities and perpetuated discrimination at home, in the workplace, and within society.
Madam Miriam Bonah, a Senior Midwife, Northern Regional Health Directorate, led a practical and engaging session on SRHR making presentation on topics including menstrual hygiene, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the importance of seeking proper healthcare.
She said, “Access to accurate SRHR information should not be a luxury. It is a right, especially for young girls in the informal sector, who are often left out of public health conversations.”
Madam Joyce Sandow, a health professional at the North East Regional Health Directorate, sensitised participants on menstrual cycles, STI prevention, the risks associated with unsafe sexual practices, and the dangers of overusing emergency contraceptives.
Participants also gained insights into stigma adolescent girls faced when seeking SRHR services, and the importance of utilizing adolescent-friendly corners in local health facilities.
During plenary session, participants shared personal experiences and community-held misconceptions, including the belief that family planning caused permanent infertility, a myth that continued to discourage contraceptive use among young women.
They also expressed concerns about teenage pregnancy, societal pressures, and the use of unsafe local sexual enhancement products.
Discussions further explored how traditional gender roles often prevented men from participating in household chores, reinforcing gender inequality.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Christian Akorlie