Ghana reaffirms commitment to end FGM
Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to promote interventions that would help end the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
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These include improving support for victims, protection of women and girls at risk, as well as the enforcement of anti-FGM laws.
In this regard, the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), and its stakeholders, is also collaborating with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture to work with traditional authorities and community leaders to ensure that FGM is stopped.
In a statement to mark International Day Against FGM, which was observed on February 6, the MoGCSP said in addition to the legislation that criminalises the practice of FGM, there was the need for pragmatic interventions that would leverage positive social dynamics and bring about behavioural change to eradicate the practice.
Recognising the practice of FGM as a violation of women’s human rights and form of child abuse, and in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution that urges “States to pursue a comprehensive, culturally sensitive, systematic approach to addressing the problem” the ministry said it was also intensifying the campaign for attitudinal change by highlighting the hidden attitudes that favour the abandonment of FGM.
The ministry is also deepening collaboration with other actors to improve the status and opportunities for girls, through formal education, skills training and economic opportunities.
In a related development, the United Nations Development Fund (UNFPA) says FGM denies women and girls the right to enjoy a healthy life and equal opportunity with dignity and respect.
UNFPA Ghana pledged its unflinching commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, including the rights of young people, especially adolescent girls in the country.
“We believe that when they can claim their right to health, including access to sexual and reproductive health, to education and to decent work, they become powerful agents for social and economic development”.
