The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana National Chapter, has expressed deep sadness about the recent devastating floods that have struck Mepe in the Volta Region and parts of the Eastern and Greater Accra regions as result of excess spillage of water from Akosombo and Kpong dams that have displaced over 30,000 people.
In a statement signed by the Chair, AWLN Ghana National Chapter, Dr. Charity Binka stated that the Network notes with great concern the disproportionate effects the flood is having on women and children.
“AWLN Ghana is therefore calling for a multi-faceted approach that could address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of women and children in this time of crisis.
“AWLN Ghana notes that women and children are often more vulnerable to the impacts of floods due to their physical and social characteristics. AWLN Ghana said women are particularly at a disadvantage due to societal norms or physical limitations while children lack the capacity to respond effectively to flood-related dangers.
“The network is therefore asking for the collection of gender-disaggregated data to better understand the specific needs of women and children during flooding. The analysis of such data will determine the practical measures that could be taken to meet the real needs of the affected people, especially women and children,” Dr. Binka stated.
AWLN Ghana is saddened by the plight of pregnant women and new mothers who are facing additional challenges in accessing healthcare and ensuring the safety of their infants during floods. AWLN Ghana therefore proposes the following practical measures that can be taken to support women and children during this difficult time. The measures include the establishment of safe and gender-sensitive evacuation shelters with secure sleeping and sanitation facilities to cater to the needs of women and children; provision of nutritional support to pregnant and lactating women and children to prevent malnutrition; daily distribution of ready-to-eat food and clean water in affected areas; provision of access to maternal and child healthcare services at the shelters, especially for pregnant women, new mothers, and infants; provision of mobile medical units for hard-to-reach areas to provide immediate medical assistance; provision of psychosocial support services to help women and children cope with the emotional trauma of flooding; Training of community members to support health officials in the provision of mental health services.
AWLN Ghana commends the efforts of government, organisations, development partners and individuals to address the current disaster. The network, however, wants such efforts to be well coordinated and led by the relevant ministries to avoid wastage and abuse.
AWLN Ghana is also appealing to the Ministry of Education to immediately establish temporary learning centres and provide educational materials for children to continue their education during the displacement. The Network also notes that in these times, women and girls are also likely to suffer abuse and sexual harassment.
AWLN Ghana is therefore appealing to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to introduce measures to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including safe reporting mechanisms.
AWLN pledges its commitment to efforts to support the affected communities and assist in ameliorating their situation.
Source: Ghana/Kasapaonline.com/102.5FM
