By Joseph Agrace Wiyorbie
Wa, (UW/R), Oct. 10, GNA – Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie Mumwilma, the Queen Mother of Duong in the Nadowli-Kaleo District, has said Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), were crucial to achieving some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.
She explained that protecting and promoting the SRHR for women and youth, and ensuring gender equality, was necessary for Ghana to obtain the SDGs.
She said proper education on SRHR would help young people to achieve their fullest potential, as well as enhance sustainable development goals in the country.
“Providing SRHR services that are respectful, non-judgemental, and tailored to individual needs is essential to obtain SDGs,” she added.
She said it was important to empower women and youth to know their SRHR and to protect those rights.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Pognaa Mumwilma, stressed that accessible and quality SRHR services were essential for promoting gender equality, empowering women and youth, and ensuring comprehensive healthcare.
She highlighted the importance of comprehensive SRHR services, including maternal health, family planning, and HIV and AIDS care, as a catalyst in transforming the fortunes of the nation positively.
She said, “If we have well educated, healthy, and economically empowered youth, the fortunes of the nation will transform positively.”
She, therefore called for universal access to SRHR services, particularly for girls and women to be free without physical, financial barriers and stigma.
Pognaa Mumwilma also emphasised the need for increased quality essential healthcare and population-based services for all, particularly girls and young women in underserved communities.
“When proper education is provided to adolescents with evidence based and comprehensive sexual education it will go a long way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and spread of STIs,” she said.
Pognaa Mumwilma, mentioned that the development of any country was tied to its knowledgeable and healthy youth population and called on government to adopt various pragmatic social intervention, policies and programmes, which would have implications on individuals and families.
She added that providing family planning and access to various contraception methods and education on reproductive choice while ensuring skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum was crucial to achieve SDGs.
She emphasised the need for national commitment to programmes, promoting universal basic education, gender equality, female empowerment, job creation and employment opportunities, particularly for girls and young women.
The queen mother praised President John Dramani Mahama, for appointing more women to serve and that it would help achieve the SDGs in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/ Christabel Addo