| International Day of Action on Women's Health (IDAWH) was held on May 28, 2008 at the AHI Youth Centre. Then programme titled, "Gender Equality" addressed gender issues affecting the girl child, the effects and ways of putting an end to the problem, starting from home to community level and the nation at large.
The programme aimed at sensitizing young people more on gender issues as they relate to the girl child; promoting male's responsibility in sexual and reproductive health and helping them grow into responsible and happy adults.
Highlight of the Programme was a lecture on 'Gender Inequality' by a representative of AHI who defined "Gender" as the sum of cultural values, attitudes, roles, practices and characteristics based on one's biological sex. i.e. being Male or Female and Gender Roles as behaviors that are considered to be appropriate for males or females in a society. He explained that they are socially defined expectations that people of one gender are expected to fulfill. Gender roles are therefore; influenced by tradition, families, school academic and co-curricula activities, friends and the media, he elaborated.
The participatory and interactive lecture involved young people mentioning their specific roles in their families. This was used to explain further the meaning of Gender Roles. Participants were made to understand that gender inequality affects both men and women but women and girls are mostly affected. Examples of inequality based on gender are: male child preference, forced or early marriage, men are expected to be bread winners in the home. Gender Inequality means that girls and women do not have the same opportunities as boys and men for education, meaningful careers, political influence, and economic advancement.
The facilitator explained how religion and cultural beliefs influence gender equality eg, that a male child is desirable and favored in our society and in families and is given more privileges than his female counterpart; males are often given an education, important jobs, inherit property and for females , they often have the responsibility of raising children, since they carry and deliver the children.
Harmful effects of gender inequality such as encouraging violence against women and girls as well as encouraging the exploitation of women and girls were also explained to participants.
The International Day of Action on Women's Health was created to take a fresh look at women's unique health needs. It is a day to take action on women's health and address factors affecting them negatively. Important issues in women's health include family planning, contraception, HIV/AIDS, safe motherhood, Female Genital Cutting (FGM), fistula, abortion etc.
Gender Inequality is also a problem that affects women. It is an unfair treatment of women. Gender inequality usually takes the form of male child preference, violence against women, discrimination against women, etc.
These practices have negative consequences on health and women's economic opportunity. They denote violation of the fundamental rights of women.
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