The Department of Gender, Greater Accra Region with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Canadian Government, has organised training for 30 Gender Desk Officers (GDOs).
The training session held for the GDOs in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Accra, was to enhance their capacity to respond better to gender related issues and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence at their respective Assemblies.
The then National Women’s Machinery, National Council for Women and Development (NCWD) established in 1975, became affiliated to the Office of the President after the Beijing Conference in 1995 and operated with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Council worked together with the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS), in the creation of Gender Desks in all MDAs as well as MMDAs as a framework of handling issues of women.
Gender equality, the absence of discrimination, based on sex, in the allocation of resources, benefits, and in the access to services free the human spirit to develop personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles, or prejudices.
However, gender equity is the fairness of treatment for women and men according to their respective needs, including equal treatment or treatment that was different but considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations, and opportunities.
Madam Matilda Banfro, Acting Greater Accra Regional Director, Department of Gender, said Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights were critical for empowering women and girls and advancing gender equality.
She said a central component of gender equality was the ability of all sexes to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights to make free and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive lives.
Hence, Madam Banfro underscored the need to engage stakeholders; GDOs, responsible for gender mainstreaming at the Local Governance level of national development to be resourceful and respond to needs of adolescents.
She noted that the tasks of GDOs had been performed mostly with capacity deficiency as they were appointed to the position as additional responsibility therefore might have little or no experience in promoting gender equality.
Ms Maribel Akuorkor Okine, Acting Western Regional Director, Department of Gender, said GDOs must among other proposed roles, advocate for the review of existing local byelaws and practices that were gender discriminatory and contradicted national provisions and legislations.
Ms Okine said they must create gender awareness among officials of the MMDAs and the Decentralised Departments about constitutional provisions regarding Gender and Human Rights Conventions, and on the effects of discrimination and gender imbalance on victims.
She said they were obligated to sensitise women about their ability to take up more responsibilities within their organisations through seminars and workshops and assist them and girls to secure scholarships.
Madam Sheila Serwaa Ayiripe, Senior Nursing Officer, Accra Metro Health Directorate, noted that adolescents could experience challenges, including teenage pregnancy, teen fatherhood, Sexually Transmitted Infections, depression, and exposure to substance due to the changes at puberty.
She underscored the need for Family Planning which involved planning and regulating the number, frequency, and timing of pregnancy, using contraceptives for better reproductive health care and empowerment of women to complete their education and enter into productive work force.
Madam Ayiripe said it improved maternal and child survival, reduced the number of abortions especially unsafe ones and enabled mothers to provide love and attention to their family.
Mr Ephraim Kwablah, Programme Officer, Department of Gender, said the National Gender Policy served as a guide for mainstreaming gender in sector plans, programmes and projects.
Source: Ghana News Agency
