By Emelia B. Addae
Asokore (E/R), Sept. 18, GNA – The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has sensitised students, particularly boys, on gender equality and the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and violence against women and girls.
The sensitisation formed part of the Government of Ghana-UNFPA Eighth Country Programme, which spans 2023 to 2027.
The beneficiary schools were from Yilo Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo, Fante Akwa North and New Juaben North Districts.
Addressing the students at the SDA Demonstration C School at Asokore, Ms Patricia Birago Gyamfi, the Eastern Regional Girls’ Education Officer, said various interventions had been introduced to educate girls on sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, gender equality and empowerment, as well as harmful social norms affecting both males and females.
She said the latest engagement, however, focused on boys to promote gender transformation and encourage discussions on gender-based violence.
Ms Gyamfi explained that some roles within society had traditionally been assigned to either males or females, but such roles were socially constructed and should not restrict individuals from pursuing particular careers or responsibilities.
She said males could take up careers and household responsibilities traditionally associated with females, just as females could pursue subjects, careers and roles previously considered exclusive to males.
She said the dialogue was highly interactive, allowing the students to ask questions and discuss issues of concern to them.
Ms Gyamfi said the engagement helped the boys to appreciate that both males and females were equally capable of performing roles and responsibilities traditionally assigned to one gender, including household chores.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lydia Wemegah, Eastern Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), stressed the need to educate young people on violence and peaceful conflict resolution.
She said as representatives of the DOVVSU, it was important to help young people understand that violence was never an appropriate means of resolving conflicts.
ASP Wemegah urged the boys to regard their female counterparts as siblings and partners rather than people to be dominated.
She encouraged them to prioritise cooperation and mutual respect instead of seeking superiority over females.
ASP Wemegah said, “love should guide relationships”, stressing that where love existed, there should be no room for violence, threats or intimidation.
Mrs Evelyn Ofosu Dankyi, the Gender Coordinator at the New Juaben North Municipal Education Directorate, expressed gratitude to the organisers of the programme and the resource persons for creating the platform for the students to engage on gender-related issues.
Mrs Dankyi described the initiative as useful, saying it would contribute to promoting mutual understanding and respect between boys and girls.
The GoG-UNFPA Eighth Country Programme aims to improve maternal health, eliminate harmful social norms, and empower adolescents and youth.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]