Youth Engaged in Dialogue on Positive Masculinity to Tackle Gender Inequality and End Child Marriage.

Anyanui: The Department of Gender has conducted a dialogue session focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) for young men in Anyanui and nearby areas within the Anloga District. The initiative aims to promote gender equality, SRHRs, prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and foster positive masculinities.According to Ghana News Agency, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), facilitated the five-hour interactive dialogue. The event included discussions on various topics such as gender equality, masculinity, the effects of adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and family planning. The sessions were designed to drive social and behavioral change among participants.Madam Esther Amesawu, Public Health Nurse at the Anloga District Health Directorate, emphasized the importance of preventing teenage pregnancy and understanding family planning methods, highlighting proper condom usage. She remarked, "Pregnancy comes with lots of responsibilities hence one must be ready for it. That is why you must take your sexual and reproductive issues very seriously as young adults. We are encouraged to seek advice from health professionals on family planning options for which condom use is one common method…Let us seek early health care whenever we notice any symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease."The session included approximately 70 male participants between the ages of 20 and 40, along with some adolescent schoolboys. Madam Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director, Department of Gender, articulated the project's goal to the Ghana News Agency, stating that it aspires to help young men transition from toxic masculinity. "The goal is to develop more positive masculinities to prevent gender-based violence, end child marriage, teenage pregnancy and diseases. We want the beneficiaries to become ambassadors to other young men and boys in the community to educate them on their sexual rights and responsibilities as well as create a conducive environment for the young girls to thrive."Mr. Edwin Kushime, the Assembly member of the area, expressed his satisfaction with the program, noting its potential to reduce teenage pregnancy rates. The event was also attended by Togbi Hatsu III of Dzita and staff from the Anyanui E. P. Basic School. The dialogue is part of a broader initiative that has been held in Tegbi, Bolove-Nolopi, and Kedzikope, featuring training sessions for facilitators to conduct boot camps for other young boys and girls.