The Bongo District Director of Health Services, Miss Estella Abazesi, has raised concerns about the serious health consequences associated with gender-based violence, particularly its impact on women and girls in the Upper East Region.
She made the remarks during a one-day engagement organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held at Extee Hotel in Bolgatanga on December 15, 2025.
According to Miss Abazesi, gender-based violence manifests in various forms, including rape, teenage pregnancy, and female genital mutilation (FGM), all of which pose severe and sometimes life-threatening health risks. She explained that teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern, especially among adolescents aged 10 to 19, many of whom should be in school or acquiring vocational skills but instead become mothers prematurely.
She noted that pregnancies among very young girls often come with complications, as many are physically and emotionally unprepared for childbirth. In some cases, these young mothers resort to unsafe abortions, further increasing the risk of severe complications and death.
Miss Abazesi also highlighted that despite national efforts, female genital mutilation continues to be practised in some parts of the Upper East Region. She explained that FGM significantly increases the risk of birth complications, including postpartum haemorrhage, which is particularly dangerous in a region already grappling with high rates of anaemia. Even minimal bleeding during childbirth, she said, can become life-threatening for affected women.
“We know it has birth complications, sometimes postpartum hemorrhage, that is bleeding, and we all know our anemia situation in the region is very high. This kind of practice can complicate bleeding. So, a woman who is already prone to anemia, when she goes into labour, even the little bleeding she may experience can be life-threatening. This is violence against women, and its health consequences are not good,” she said.
She warned that the combined effects of early motherhood, FGM, and limited access to quality maternal healthcare are contributing to rising maternal mortality rates in the region. The situation, she stressed, is even more alarming among young mothers, whose bodies are often not fully developed to handle pregnancy and childbirth.
Miss Abazesi called on religious and traditional leaders to take a leading role in advocating against harmful cultural practices such as early marriage and FGM. She emphasized that their influence within communities positions them as key agents for changing attitudes and behaviours that negatively affect women’s health.
She further urged stakeholders to promote healthy sexual and reproductive practices among young people and encouraged greater involvement of men in reproductive health education. According to her, increased male participation would help communities better understand how certain behaviours contribute to declining health outcomes and shortened lifespans among women.
She also advocated for stronger family planning education, noting that helping women space or limit pregnancies would reduce health complications and enable families to better care for mothers and children.
“We want them to use their voices to preach to the youth to practise healthy lifestyles and responsible sexual behaviour, and to advocate for men to get involved in sexual and reproductive health activities, so they understand the implications of actions that are shortening the lives of women. We also expect them to advocate for family planning so women can have families they can better take care of, instead of having many pregnancies that can result in complications and shorten their lives,” she added.
The engagement brought together faith-based organizations, traditional leaders, health officials, media practitioners, and other stakeholders to strengthen advocacy against harmful practices, gender-based violence, and negative social norms in the Upper East Region.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
