Africa-Press – Ghana. Traditional leaders have been called upon to champion the protection of women’s rights and eliminate harmful cultural practices that impede national development.
Madam Juliana Abbeyquaye, Eastern Regional Director of the Department of Gender, made the call during a stakeholder engagement in Accra.
It was organised by the Department in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The meeting brought together chiefs, queen mothers, and priests from Ga Traditional Councils to raise awareness about harmful practices and develop strategies for promoting human rights and positive cultural values.
Such harmful practices include child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), widowhood rites, widow inheritance, breast ironing, witchcraft accusations, and other forms of gender-based violence.
Referencing the Maputo Protocol, Madam Abbeyquaye noted that “Women shall have the right to live in a positive cultural context and to participate at all levels in the determination of cultural policies.”
She criticised traditional norms that reinforced male dominance and gender inequality, describing some as re-emerging or evolving in ways that denied women and children the right to consent.
She urged traditional authorities to take a stand against such practices.
“Traditional leaders must commit to curb harmful practices by prohibiting and condemning the menace,” she said.
Madam Abbeyquaye also called for assessments of cultural practices to distinguish those that support development from those that do not, advocating for the preservation of positive values through education and community interpretation.
Madam Matilda Banfro, Greater Accra Regional Director of Gender, noted that harmful practices were deeply embedded in tradition, religion, and societal norms, which made them difficult to overcome.
She noted that while traditional leaders are well-placed to influence change, a lack of active engagement and accountability contributed to the persistence of those issues.
Madam Banfro noted that reports of FGM in the region were largely linked to migrant communities residing in the area.
“It is true, we have a lot of FGM going on within the region, but it looks like it is not the Gas themselves, but then the strangers we have on our lands, they are doing it,” she added.
Madam Lilian Baeka, Chief Director of GARCC, in a speech read on her behalf, said harmful practices hindered both social and economic progress and perpetuated discrimination.
She encouraged traditional leaders to evolve cultural norms that “uplift and do not oppress.”
She also urged collaboration with the Ministry and RCC to reinforce positive customs and eliminate regressive ones.
Tatse Nii Laryea Akwetei X, Nungua Katamanso Mantse, lamented the failure of institutions to promote moral development at the grassroots and urged fellow traditional leaders to be innovative and learn from positive examples in other cultures.
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