Avoid freebies that lead to sexual abuse – DOVVSU officer
An officer of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Cape Coast, Richard Twum Boadi, has advised females to be mindful of the freebies they receive from men in order not to fall prey to sexual abuse.
According to him, the saying that “there is no free lunch anywhere" is true to some extent and therefore advised young women in particular to change their minds of going in for freebies and be vigilant to prevent possible sexual abuses .
Mr Twum Boadi was speaking at a day's training to sensitise artisans to sexual reproductive health education.
In all, 60 participants including artisan apprentices selected from districts including Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, Komenda Edina Eguafo Municipal, Assin South, Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira, Ekumfi and Upper Denkyira West districts attended the session at Ajumako Assasan.
It was organised by the Central Regional office of the National Youth Authority (NYA) in collaboration with the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) with funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The training was to equip participants with the needed knowledge and information to prevent them from falling prey to quack doctors and drug peddlers.
Economic challenges real
Mr Twum Boadi said while there were economic challenges, that should not be used to seek favours from men because most men would capitalise on that to sexually abuse the "favour seekers".
He also advised the participants to report parents who refused to take care of their underage children to the nearest police station since that is their responsibility.
Family planning
A Principal Community Health Nurse with the Ajumako Hospital, Sylvia Mensah, noted that the Ghana Health Service (GHA) was committed to promoting the use of contraceptives and supporting individuals to plan families.
She however stated, that the GHS advised against the abuse of contraceptives, particularly emergency contraceptives and appealed to users not to use emergency contraceptives as routine contraceptives.
Ms Mensah said the GHS was working to ensure that family planning services were available and accessible to all those in need of such services across the country.
She urged the participants to adopt responsible sexual behaviours to prevent themselves from being infected with sexually transmitted infections and unexpected pregnancies by using condoms.
The acting Programmes Officer at the Central Regional office of NYA, Emmanuel Jones said the authority had worked with other institutions to educate the youth on adolescent reproductive health issues, rights, teenage pregnancy, gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, adding that the work done so far was making a positive impact in the communities.
He advised the participants to adhere to good moral values that would help them to attain their goals in future.
The Focal Person for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the CRCC, David Allan Painstil, advised the participants to aim high to build themselves more successful futures.
Participant
An apprentice fashion designer, Mabel Aso Abrokwah, said the training had broadened her knowledge of family planning adding that she was hopeful that NYA would organise more of such training to equip the youth on how to prevent unplanned pregnancies and domestic violence.