Ajumapo: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has intensified efforts to address teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, and adolescent reproductive health challenges in Ajumapo in the New Juaben North Municipality through community education and stakeholder engagement.
According to Ghana News Agency, the outreach was organised under the Adolescent Girls Programme in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and supported by Global Affairs Canada. It brought together health professionals, civic educators, security personnel, and community members to promote positive behavioural change and strengthen protection for adolescents.
Ms. Lucille Hewlett Annan, Commission Secretary of the NCCE, stated that the programme sought to increase awareness of adolescent reproductive health, sexual and reproductive health rights, and gender-based violence while encouraging greater parental and community support for young people.
'We came to educate the people of Jumapo on their adolescent reproductive health issues and domestic violence,' she said.
Ms. Annan explained that the engagement also aimed at challenging misconceptions surrounding menstruation and encouraging parents to openly discuss reproductive health issues with their children.
'We demystified menstruation and talked to parents that menstruation is a natural thing. It is not a taboo. It is not something that is embarrassing,' she added.
She urged boys and girls to support their peers rather than stigmatise them, particularly when girls experience menstrual challenges in school.
The programme further highlighted the role of boys and men in preventing gender-based violence and promoting mutual respect and responsible behaviour within families and communities.