Girls in central Ghana have been banned from crossing the
River Ofin, while menstruating by traditional leaders, who say they are
enforcing what they call a "directive" from a river god.
Meanwhile, children
have to cross the river to get to school in Kyekyewerein, in the Upper Denkyira
East district in the Central Region of Ghana.
So this means girls cannot attend school while they are on
their periods.
However, it is not just on period days: a second order from
the river gods bans all girls from crossing the river on Tuesdays.
Unicef’s menstrual hygiene ambassador, Shamima Muslim
Alhassan told the BBC the directive is in violation of girls' right to education.
“It seems the gods
are really powerful aren’t they? Sometimes I think that we need to ask for some
form of accountability from these gods who continue to bar a lot of things from
happening, to account for how they have used the tremendous power that we have
given them."
The River Ofin serves as a boundary between the Ashanti and
Central Region.
Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan has given
indications he will coordinate with the Ashanti regional minister to find a
solution.
BBC
0 Comments