Media practitioners have been engaged in an interaction on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Accra.
The event which was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA-Ghana) at the Accra International Press Center engaged journalists on the importance of accurate reportage on sexuality with focus on comprehensive sexuality education.
Speaking on the role of media advocacy as a tool for empowering adolescent girls, Deputy Representative of UNFPA-Ghana Erica Goldson said the United Nations Population Fund is engaging the media in Ghana as a strategic partner in providing Comprehensive Sexuality Education. She said the organisation is committed to partnering government and parties from civil society to mitigate issues affecting adolescent girls.
The Deputy Representative cited challenges including sexual and gender based violence, maternal mortality, adolescent pregnancy and child marriage as major issues affecting the sexuality of women and adolescent girls that can be addressed through comprehensive sexuality education.
A Representative of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Ishmael Selassie who took the media through the framework on Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Ghana enumerated the national guidelines for CSE and strides taken to ensure that the CSE process is effective. Mr. Selasie noted some of the challenges facing the smooth application of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the country. He emphasised that it is important to challenge cultural norms that perpetrate sex and gender-based violence. He also stressed the need for society to help young people to make informed decisions about their sexuality.
Sharing their views in an open-mic discussion, some journalists presented ideas that can be implored to consolidate UNFPA’s media advocacy strategy on comprehensive sexuality education.
The media interaction coincided with International Human Rights Day, which marked the climax of the 16 Days of Activism and served as a platform for sharing ideas on ending sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana.
