Queen Mothers trained to combat inequalities and harmful practices

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The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection has applauded the immense contribution of Queen mothers in the struggle for gender equality, child rights and social protection.

Such invaluable support, she said, is very significant to the delivery of the Ministry’s mandate to ensure no one is left behind in the developmental process of the country

In a keynote address delivered on her behalf at a Durbar and Training of Queen Mothers as advocates against inequalities and harmful practices on Tuesday 22nd June 221, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo expressed the Ministry’s appreciation for the immense role they play.

The programme was organized through the Department of Gender with support from UNFPA.

She said, “The Ministry appreciates the role of Queen Mothers in support of the implementation of our mandate related to Gender, Child Rights and Social Protection.”

“Queen Mothers play significant roles in the development of their communities through their involvement in community planning and development and are seen as preservers of our traditional values and customs.”

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“Queen Mothers also actively participate and contribute to gender-related issues in community planning and development such as the provision of housing, education, healthcare, water, sanitation and transport services, protection and development of children discipline, just to mention but a few.”

According to her, the role of Queen Mothers is very critical as the responsibility does not solely rest on the government but demands the collective efforts of all.

She appealed to them to support the Ministry in the area of advocacy to end child marriage, teenage pregnancy, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful socio-cultural practices for the betterment of the Ghanaian society.

She assured that the Ministry is opened for further engagements to promote the agenda of including all in the development process of the nation without leaving anyone behind.

Hon. Adwoa Safo disclosed that the Ministry is pursuing the use of technology to ensure citizens have easy access to valuable social protection services and interventions and has established a help to receive complaints through toll-free numbers 0800 800 800/ 0800 900 900 and SMS shortcode 8020.

The Ministry, she said, in collaboration with stakeholders has also launched the Boame Application and Orange Support Center, a technological platform that includes a mobile app and a toll-free number 0800 111 222.

The initiative, she said, demonstrates efforts from stakeholders to bring to zero all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana.

President of the Queen Mothers Platform, Nana Amponsah Dokua III, in her speech noted that to achieve collective feedback in the individual efforts made by Queen mothers, there is a need to consolidate these efforts by uniting as a group to pursue a common national agenda, share and learn from each other.

She stated that Queen mothers have always existed as an association but stressed the renewed vigour under the designation ‘Queen Mothers Platform’ and the well-organized governance arrangement that has been set up has positioned the group for purposeful engagement.

She appealed for a strong partnership with the ministry to continue to pursue the cause of women, children, and other vulnerable persons in the country

In the welcome address read on her behalf by the Director of the Department of Gender, Chief Director of the Ministry Dr. Afisah Zakariah, stated that the programme has been carefully designed to equip Queen Mothers with key emerging issues in society that have a negative impact on human development that include human trafficking, Female Genital Mutilation, child marriages among many others.

The durbar, she said, is also intended to offer an opportunity to the Ministry to dialogue with them and formulate policy direction in addressing these issues to ensure the Ministry fully achieves its mandate.

“The Ministry has the mandate to ensure a harmonious society in which the survival and development of the sexes, children, the vulnerable, and persons with disabilities are guaranteed,” she said.

Frontpageghana.com/Ghana

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