Preloader Close
0533788706 Contact NIPDA SOCIAL SERVICES FOR ALL CONCERNING ISSUES. ------- CALL HOTLINE >>>>
Gender Equality and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights. Workshop for Men and Boys
Sexual and Reproductive health has historically been concerned with population control and restricting the reproductive behavior of women. When men do not share in the responsibilities, benefits, or burdens of sexual and reproductive health, women single-handedly bear the majority of the responsibilities for their own and their families’ sexual and reproductive health.
This approach exacerbates gender inequalities and leads to poor health outcomes.
At a workshop organized by the Department of Gender Greater Accra Region, for both men and boys at Mobole.
The workshop is to enlighten men and boys on “The Role and Importance of Men and Boys in Advancing Gender Equality.” This took place on Thursday 16th June 2022 at the Mobole community center.
Eastern Regional Director, Department of Gender, madam Juliana Abbey Quaye, in her presentation made students and participants appreciate the difference between sex and gender.
Sex, she said, refers to biological differences between men and women, they exist throughout history and across cultures.
Also, she explained Gender to be the socially determined roles, identities, opportunities and constraints of women and men that differ across societies and even among different groups within societies.
Mad. Abbey Quaye mentioned that the concept of gender is in categories; Gender Norms, Gender Stereotypes, Gender Roles, Gender Inequality, Gender Neutral, Gender Sensitive.
Gender norms are the Standards and expectations to which women and men generally conform, within a range that defines a particular society, culture, and community at that point in time.
Gender stereotypes, it is a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics, or roles that are to be performed by men and women.
Gender Roles, the identification of different tasks, responsibilities, and expectations society has defined and allocated to men, women, boys, and girls. These may change over time and according to the prevailing situation.
Gender Inequality is a form of social division relating to varying amounts of power, resources, and opportunity between men and women, where one gender becomes more socially privileged than the other. These affect their status in all areas of life in society, whether public or private, in the family or the labor market, in economic or political life, in power and decision-making, as well as in social gender relations.
Accordingly, Gender Neutral, is a situation where gender is not considered relevant to development outcomes and gender roles and relations are not affected.
Gender-Sensitive is the process by which people are made aware of how gender plays a role in life through their treatment of others.
Highlighting the importance of gender equality, she mentioned that Social and economic pressure which defines men as breadwinners will reduce. Also, it is a pre-condition for effective and sustainable people-centered development. It Promotes Physical and mental well-being as well as a means of smart Economics.
The men and young boys were called upon to break out of the man box. That they should challenge traditional images of manhood that keep you from taking a stand. Also, another means to help in such situations ai to ask the ladies if they needed assistance. This is when you suspect abuse or an assault and finally, they should know that “no means no and stop means stop.” Should respect the opinion of the other.
ISD
Ningo-Prampram
