Some journalists in Upper East Region have pledged their commitment to support the fight against harmful widowhood rites in the region.
The journalists, say it is their responsibility as media practitioners to acknowledge the rights and plight of widows and to ensure widows and orphans enjoy those rights while having their concerns addressed.
“We are dedicated to supporting the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) and its allies in the effort being made to rid our communities of acts of rituals that constitute abuse of women who have lost their husbands and children, who have lost their fathers.” The journalists pledged.
Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM), a civil society organization based in Bolgatanga works in the interest of widows and orphans and has engaged selected journalists in the Upper East Region who have trained over 30 youth as community journalists in the region.
Edward Adeti, journalist/cartoonist
The community youth journalists are now serving as primary data collectors on harmful widowhood rites to their mentors for publication.
Leader of Media Coalition Against Harmful Widowhood Practices (MeCAHWiP), Sophia Ackumey, at the commemoration of this year’s International Widows Day held in Bolgatanga, called for political commitment in ending harmful widowhood rites.
She appealed to to all politicians, the MMDCEs, assembly members, Members of Parliament, religious and traditional authorities, to speak out in one voice and to amplify same voice against the rites that dehumanize widows in the region.
The International Widows Day is commemorated each year to drum home the challenges widows and orphans go through. This year’s celebration was on the theme ‘Inclusion of the “invisible women” and invisible problems to national agenda through community youth journalism.’
By: Joshua Asaah|A1radioonline.com|Ghana|101.1MHz
