In a strategic move to address harmful cultural practices impacting women and girls, over 60 traditional leaders from Greater Accra have been sensitized on the risks and consequences of such customs.
The initiative, led by the Greater Accra Regional Department of Gender alongside the Regional Coordinating Council and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), targets entrenched practices including child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), widowhood inheritance, breast ironing, trokosi, and forced feeding of girls.
Representatives from the Ada, Kpone, Ningo, Shai, Osudoku, and Prampram Traditional Councils participated in the programme, which aimed to foster open dialogue and break the silence surrounding these harmful customs.
Madam Matilda Banfro, Regional Director of the Department of Gender, underscored the deep-rooted nature of these practices, noting that their persistence is tied to tradition, religion, and community norms, making them particularly challenging to eradicate.
She stressed the pivotal role traditional leaders play in influencing cultural values and called for their active engagement and accountability to spearhead change from within communities.
Echoing this call, Ms. Juliana Abbeyquaye, Eastern Regional Director of Gender, highlighted specific harmful practices like breast ironing, explaining its detrimental health effects and the secrecy that surrounds it. She appealed for community collaboration to replace outdated customs with practices that uphold dignity and human rights.
During discussions, participants identified stigma and secrecy as significant barriers to addressing practices such as FGM and child marriage, often resulting in underreporting and limited access to support services.
They also noted the shifting dynamics between traditional and modern institutions, which has affected customary leadership’s influence.
In response, the traditional leaders recommended forming a dedicated working group to deliberate on cultural reforms regularly.
They also advocated for legal literacy training on human rights and national policies for traditional councils, promoting positive cultural practices, and public denunciation of harmful rituals, alongside endorsing alternative ceremonies.
This engagement marks a significant step toward harmonizing cultural heritage with human rights, aiming to protect and empower women and girls throughout the Greater Accra Region.
