Volta Region rolls out teenage pregnancy prevention programme
The Volta Regional Directorate of the Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, has launched an adolescent reproductive health programme aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy by engaging both girls and boys as active partners.
The programme has already trained 40 men and 30 boys from 18 communities across Keta Municipality, Akatsi North District, Central Tongu District, Adaklu District, and Anloga District. Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Global Affairs Canada, the initiative promotes reproductive health awareness among adolescent boys and girls.
Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, shared this during a one-day workshop held yesterday for 150 boys from 12 Junior High Schools (JHS) and Adidome Senior High School (SHS) in the Central Tongu District.
The workshop aimed to educate boys to appreciate girls’ reproductive health and support them in growing into responsible adulthood.
Mrs Kpe emphasised the vital role men and boys play in preventing teenage pregnancy.
“Educating boys to appreciate the reproductive health of girls will help them avoid early sex and collaborate effectively in performing various gender roles, promoting harmony in society and preventing teenage pregnancy,” she explained.
She further stated that including boys in the programme allows them to understand the importance of living peacefully with girls and protecting one another to grow into responsible adults.
“Even though society defines gender roles for men, boys, women, and girls, they should complement the efforts of girls in performing such roles,” Mrs Kpe stressed.
The Regional Director noted that the training equips boys with skills to educate others about sharing gender roles with girls and avoiding early sexual activity, which can lead to teenage pregnancy and hinder their potential to become responsible adults.
Mrs Kpe also cautioned boys against using masculinity as a tool to discriminate against girls or vulnerable members of society.
She called for the elimination of harmful cultural practices that discriminate against girls, such as trokosi, early marriage, and female genital mutilation.
Ms Patience Kudu, a Public Health Nurse (PHN) in the Central Tongu District, addressed the topic “Adolescent Reproductive Health,” urging boys and girls to avoid premarital sex.
She highlighted the risks, noting that “apart from girls becoming pregnant, both boys and girls could contract lifelong sexually transmitted infections and require lifelong medication.”
FROM SAMUEL AGBEWODE, ADIDOME
đź”— Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
âś… Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
