Campaign supports women’s sexual health and safety during COVID-19
Plan International Ghana is working alongside partners and the government to promote sexual and reproductive health and reduce gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Kamaldeen Iddrisu, Plan International Ghana’s District Development Coordinator, spoke at the launch of the campaign in Wa.
Plan International Ghana has launched a campaign to promote sexual and reproductive health and reduce gender-based violence as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign increases access to sexual and reproductive health services and protects vulnerable girls and women from abuse.
Abuse and exploitation increase during pandemic
Mr Kamaldeen Iddrisu, Plan International Ghana’s District Development Coordinator, spoke at the launch of the campaign in Wa. “In spite of COVID-19, sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual exploitation and neglect are on the increase,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu explained that Plan International Ghana had been at the forefront of supporting the government in the fight against the pandemic. The organisation donated GH¢ 50,000 (€4,000) to the National COVID-19 Fund and another GH¢ 20,000 (€1,500) to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in the early days of the pandemic. Plan International also supported Kayaye girls with assorted items including sanitary pads and diapers for babies during COVID-19 restrictions.
With the support of partner organisation Days for Girls, Plan International Ghana supported 50 girls in several districts to produce reusable face masks and sanitary pads.
Campaign supports girls and women
Dr. Damien Punguyire, the Acting Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, commended Plan International Ghana for its role in ensuring access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in the region.
“I have already witnessed a lot of efforts that Plan International Ghana has put in place to support the fight against this pandemic in rolling out public sensitisation on adolescent sexual and reproductive health,” he explained.
Dr. Punguyire said that factors such as stigma, misinformation and fear harmed efforts towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and called for concerted efforts to overcome the emergency.
Emergencies, Protection from violence, Sexual and reproductive health and rights, Child protection in emergencies, COVID-19, Gender-based violence, Menstruation, Sexual and reproductive health services
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