Help Educate Children on Sexual Reproductive Health; Stakeholders and Community Leaders, told.
Stakeholders, community leaders and traditional authorities have been tasked to play active roles in educating children on their sexual reproductive health in order for them to take positive and healthy decisions in life.
As part of the social responsibility of NORSAAC, a program has been implemented dubbed “Get-Up Speak-Out” (GUSO) in five communities in the Sagnarigu district of the northern region. The beneficiary communities include Saŋa, Nyerizee, Sognaayili, Malshegu and Yongduuni.
GUSO is a four year project, which seeks to educate young people, especially girls between the ages of 10 and 25 as well as to reduce teenage pregnancy in the region. The project would also empower young people to fully enjoy their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
The project, in all activities, would empower girls and women to realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights in societies that are positive towards young people’s sexuality, empower young people to be able to voice out their rights and champion for others, it will aid young people to receive good quality and correct SRHR information, increase the use of youth friendly SRHR services.
GUSO will, as part of its responsibility, provide a free socio-cultural environment and community that supports young people’s sexuality, specifically their access to SRHR education, information and SRHR services.
NORSAAC intends to build the capacity of 50 young people in the five beneficiary communities, increase the involvement of young people in programme planning and implementation, 30 percent of youth representations in the SRHR alliance structures and decision making structures.
Speaking to the media the Knowledge Management and Learning Manager at NORSAAC, Ms.Tamara Amina Sulemana stated that the program was to engage various stake holders and community leaders of the beneficiary communities give their commitment towards the implementation of the GUSO project for the next four years.
The programme was attended by representatives from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Education Service (GES), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), community leaders and some youth. Participants, on their part, contributed their quota towards enhancing a month’s running of the project in the various communities.
BY: LILIAN D. WALTER