Stakeholders at a dialogue meeting on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), unwanted pregnancies and harmful practices called on the government to enforce laws to protect the rights of adolescent girls and young women against such practices.
They demanded that the government, in addition to law enforcement, set up a domestic violence fund to offer support to victims of SGBV and other harmful practices.
They also expressed the need for parents to pay close attention to their children, especially women, and provide for their needs to prevent them from engaging in actions that would lead to unwanted pregnancies.
The dialogue session held in Tamale was attended by representatives of state institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups and media representatives from the northern region.
It created a platform for participants to share their activities aimed at finding lasting solutions to SGBV, unwanted pregnancies and harmful practices.
It was organized by Norsaac, a human rights and policy advocacy organization as part of the Power to Youth (PtY) project.
The PtY project is implemented by a consortium of civil society organizations (Youth Advocates Ghana, Ghana SRH Alliance and Songtaba) led by Norsaac, with financial support from Rutgers.
The project supports girls and young women from remote or marginalized communities in the Northern, Savannah, North East and Upper East regions to make informed decisions, enjoy their sexuality and be free of harmful practices in a gender-just society.
Madam Bushira Alhassan, Acting Northern Regional Director of the Gender Department, said during the meeting that the department has been engaging traditional and religious leaders as well as community members on the effects of SGBV and harmful practices on the lives of adolescent girls and young women.
She added that the ministry was also directly engaging young people in the communities and holding mentoring sessions for them on issues including teenage pregnancy and the need for them to lead responsible lifestyles.
She called on all stakeholders to rededicate themselves to safeguarding the interests of adolescent girls and young women to ensure that they grow up in a free environment where their voices are heard.
Sagnarigu Zagban Naa Mahama Alanse Bukari, Sub-Chief of Sagnarigu Traditional Area, said the issues of SGBV, teenage pregnancy and harmful practices feature prominently in bi-weekly meetings of traditional authorities in Sagnarigu to discuss matters affecting the area.
He stressed the need for parents to meet the needs and wants of their children, especially their teenage girls, to enable them to stay in school.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, the Northern Regional Minister who was represented during the event, called on the youths to desist from drug abuse and other vices to secure their future.
Blessilla Na-afoe Kandoh, Youth Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator at Norsaac, expressed the need for various stakeholders to do more to find lasting solutions to the problems of SGBV, unwanted pregnancies and harmful practices in communities.
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