Marrying off children destroys their future - UNFPA

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has reiterated its commitment towards the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Ghanaian Communities by unveiling murals on child marriage at Malam Junction, Circle and other places.

Madam Selina Owusu, National Programme Analyst-Gender, UNFPA in unveiling the paintings, said it was part of their 16 days of activism against gender violence.

She said it was to raise awareness on all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and to help the survivors to know that there was help out there.
Madam Owusu urged victims of sexual violence to break their silence and seek support from agencies and organizations who are ready to give them assistance.

She called on people in the society to report any form of violence they witness within their communities to the appropriate authorities.
She said the adolescent girl’s future would be bright if they are given the needed assistance and that if their education was curtailed then the girl’s future looks bleak.

“If you are able to help the adolescent girl then the future is bright but if you curtail the adolescent girl’s development then other things will happen”, Madam Owusu said.

She said child marriages completely destroy the future of the girl child adding that if a girl is allowed to go to school she would be able to contribute her quota towards the nation’s development.

“If you marry off a child then you have completely destroyed the future of that girl, but if that girl is allowed to go through all levels of education then she comes out to also contribute to the development of the country”, she said.

Madam Owusu said the fight against sexual and gender-based violence would not end after the 16 days of activism and called on the media to help in the fight.

Mr Mohammed Awudu, an International Graffiiti Fine Artist, who painted the murals, said he was glad to be of help in the fight against gender-based violence.

He said child marriage happens everywhere in the Ghanaian communities adding that victims do not have the needed support to air their concerns.
Mr Awudu said the art work that was unveiled today would help encourage people to support victims of sexual violence.