Stakeholders call for an end to harmful cultural practices impacting women and girls

Stakeholders are intensifying their call for the modification of harmful cultural practices and belief systems that hinder the growth and development of women and girls.

Describing certain practices as obstacles to progress, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and dehumanizing widowhood rites, they emphasize the need to eliminate or modify these practices to accelerate development and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

The call was made by a coalition of stakeholders, including women, legal practitioners, and advocacy organizations during a training session for 120 women from four districts in the Upper East Region.

The training, organized by the Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana (FAWE-GH), focused on harmful cultural practices and formed part of the five-year Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project led by a consortium with support from Right To Play, WaterAid Ghana, FHI360, and FAWE-GH, funded by Global Affairs Canada.

During the training in Navrongo, Kassena-Nankana Municipality, Ms. Diana Amanya highlighted the importance of strategic educational interventions at the community level to empower communities to advocate for the modification of harmful practices.

Ms. Judith Asiateba emphasized that some harmful practices were sources of income for perpetrators and called for stricter punishments for those involved.

Mr. Edmond Alagpulinsa, Principal Investigator at the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, facilitated the training and pointed out that harmful cultural practices affected the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of victims or survivors.

He noted the existing legislation against injurious practices but highlighted the continued suffering of women and girls due to power dynamics and low representation in decision-making levels.

Mr. Richard Amoani, National Coordinator of FAWE-GH, explained that the training aimed to equip women with knowledge to contribute to reducing harmful cultural practices that limit societal progress.

He emphasized the threat posed to SDGs, particularly goals four and six, which focus on quality education for all and gender equality by 2030, by these practices. Amoani called on stakeholders to support advocacy for the modification of harmful cultural practices.