Source: Spy Ghana
The Regional Advisor of World Vision, Miriam Iddrisu, has noted that unequal power relations between men and women often limit women's control over sexual activity and their ability to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.
According to her, adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable when it come to sexual activity and stressed the need to conduct campaigns to increase awareness of the adolescents in Ghana.
Miriam Iddrisu was presenting a paper on the topic: "Gender in Reproductive Health at day's engagement with editors and media owners in Sunyani.
The engagement platform was created by Global Media Foundation with support from Safe Abortion Fund (SAAF) under its 3-year project: Advocating for Young People Access to Safe Abortion and Contraceptive services in Brong-Ahafo.
Madam Iddrisu noted that It is unpardonable that in the 21st century motherhood remains so dangerous for so many.
According to her, It is not only morally wrong but also hampers economic development and the survival and well-being of families, communities and nations as a whole.
She said reproductive rights include the right to decide the number, timing and spacing of children, the right to voluntarily marry and establish a family, as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health, among others.
The Regional Advisor therefore stressed the need to address gender equity in reproductive health in order to achieve poverty reduction in the country.
She said gender inequality and discrimination harm girls' and women's health directly and indirectly, throughout the life cycle.
Madam Iddrisu challenged the media to use access to information provisions to report on gender equality and women's human rights issues and further urged the media to use their platform to reduce gender stereotyping in society.
In his address, the CEO of GlomeF, Raphael Godlove Ahenu Jr. said the legal status of abortion is not necessarily the most important factor determining availability of safe abortion services.
He said other equally importance factors include the national policy, the attitude of the health professionals, the public and the socio cultural norms of the country.
Mr Ahenu Jr. noted that stigma associated with abortion often leads women to seek unsafe, clandestine procedures, saying "Women who have abortions may face disapproval from their families and society at large and may want to avoid being seen or identified in a health facility".
He therefore called on the media to increase public awareness to help reduce stigma associated with abortion.