Obstetric fistula patients undergo free surgery
A programme initiated by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) has helped 90 women from various parts of the country, suffering from obstetric fistula, to undergo free repair surgery since 2014.
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With sponsorship from the Economic Community for West African States Gender Development Centre (EGDC), the patients went through the surgery in three health facilities, namely the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), in Kumasi, Mercy’s Women Hospital at Mankessim and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra.
This was made known by the Deputy Minister of MGCSP, Mr John A. Ackon, at the third National Gender Conference in Accra.
Conference
The two-day conference, held on the theme: “The Nexus between Gender, good Governance and the fight against Corruption,” was organised by the Gender Development Institute (GDI) and was attended by civil society groups, gender rights activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal, usually caused by prolonged and obstructed labour. The condition leaves many women uncontrollably leaking urine or faeces as a result of which they are stigmatised or ostracised.
Gender and development
Mr Ackon stated that issues on gender were development-oriented because people, irrespective of their gender, must have access to basic necessities of life, freedom and liberties, higher income and improved standards of living.
“Women, even in developed countries, still demand adequate representation in the decision-making process, an end to gender-based violence and gender equality,” he said.
He called on NGOs and civil society organisations to support the ongoing debate and discussions on the “Affirmative Action Bill,” which has been submitted to Cabinet for approval, as well as the “Property Rights of Spouse’s Bill” and the “Intestate Succession Bill.”
Good governance
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GDI, Mr Wilbert Tengey, said the theme for the conference was very relevant due to the importance of gender equality to good governance, adding that “good governance cannot take place when there is no gender equality.”
