Upper West Region records reduction in FGM

The Department of Gender and Social Protection has said there has been a major reduction in the incidence of female genital mutilation in the Upper West Region.

It, however, said despite the reduction, the practice was still on-going in some communities thereby violating the rights of women, and causing devastating health implication among them.

Madam Charity Batuure, Assistant Programme Officer at the Department, made this known at a community men sensitization and awareness creation on the existence of sexual and gender-based violence against women and children organized in Charia in the Wa Municipality.

She said female genital mutilation posed several challenges to its victims during childbirth, and in some cases transferred diseases, because unsterilized equipment were used for the act, which might lead to the death of the victims.

Participants were taken through “the negative effects of Sexual and Gender-based violence against the larger affected populace in society, especially women and children.”

The Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Ghana Project is aimed at reducing the male dominance and control of women and girls.

The Project has also identified men as the major agents of change dubbed: “Men as changing agents in ending sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana,” to adopt a behavioral change in the fight against sex and gender-based violence.

The project is supported by the Danish Development Agency, using the community-based approach for awareness creation and the role the community plays in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

Mr. Stephen Naah, an Assembly Member of Charia, expressed the community’s appreciation to the Department of Gender and encouraged the Ministry not to relent in its efforts to eradicate traditional and cultural practices that dehumanized women and children.