Gender
Stigmatisation of infertile male spouses also high
In Ghana, when couples are unable to have children of their own, it is the women who are mostly deemed to be stigmatised and ridiculed for their inability to have children.
However, according to experts, male stigmatisation is also high with theirs done subtly, causing them to take in all kinds of drugs and aphrodisiacs to boost their ability and to help them solve their problems.
Some are teased and mocked by their wives, relations and friends also give them several names depicting their problem.
The situation is causing some infertile men to lose their confidence, some have developed low self-esteem while others push the blame on their spouses or commit suicide.
In an exclusive interview on the issue with Dr Francis Vinkpenuba Wuobar, an Obstetrician Gynaecologist from the Eastern Regional Hospital, he explained that male stigmatisation was real, adding that it is causing a lot of sub fertile men to suffer emotionally and therefore called on the public to stop all forms of stigmatisation of infertile couples and rather show love and give them support.
He explained that “men take ridicule and stigma rather poorly than women and tend to internalise their emotions which cause them to lose their ego. The concept of not being a man enough is devastating.”
“Sometimes, some men who are deemed infertile in a bid to remain emotionally stable rather take the blame out unto their partners and this may cause them to avoid seeking help altogether,” he added.
He lamented that stigmatisation was one of the reasons some men refused to go to the hospital with their spouses to go through tests when a couple have problems with their fertility, adding that stigmatisation may worsen the problem or prolong it.
Dr Wuobar explained that child bearing involves a lot of process which can be interrupted and cause infertility, revealing that infertility in men can be as a result of dysfunctional sperm, prostrate, dysfunctional testes among others.
“Even at the production stage, an interruption can occur, it could be a problem with the testes which at a child stage may have not descended well into the scrotum or because of poor temperatures among others.”
He said it is only on a few occasions that some men may accept they have a problem attributing their reluctance to the stigma that they may go through.
The Obstetrician Gynaecologist called on the public to desist from subtly mocking men or infertile couples in general and rather encourage and support them to seek help.
He also encouraged such couples to live healthy lifestyles, prevent and treat infections promptly as well as seek medical attention early.
Kwabena (not real names) who has been married to his wife, Akua for over 30 years and lives in Tema told The Spectator that his wife left home and married another man because he was unable to impregnate her after he was diagnosed with low sperm count.
He said the situation made him lose his respect before his wife, friends and relatives who subtly stigmatised him and called him names.
He said he has been unmarried since and adopted two children he was taking care of. He, therefore, called on people to stop stigmatising men and rather encourage them to seek help when necessary, adding that wives are supposed to support their husbands.
Adu, also told the Spectator the he has been married for 15 years without a child, adding that it has not been a pleasant situation and called on the public to desist from stigmatising infertile couples.
“You feel it more when your colleague has delivered and you hear people tell him you are a man, it’s terrible.”
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Gender
Pres Mahama’s commitment to Affirmative Action Act commendable —Josephine Oppong-Yeboah
Media personality and gender advocate, Josephine Oppong-Yeboah, has applauded President John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to implement the Affirmative Action Act of 2024 (Act 1121), aimed at achieving gender equity in all aspects of national life.
She stressed that the Act’s implementation will ensure women’s voices were heard and included in every sector of the country’s development.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) following his re-election, President Mahama, on February 27, reaffirmed his government’s dedication to operationalising the Affirmative Action Act.
He indicated that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the Act’s provisions, which includes a 30 per cent target quota for women in political appointments, were fully realised.
“I’m pleased to report that women currently make up 23.21 per cent of all appointments, and we are diligently working towards reaching the target outlined in Act 1121,” President Mahama noted.
The Affirmative Action Bill, passed by Parliament on July 30, 2024, was widely celebrated by women’s rights groups both within Ghana and internationally.
In response to the President’s pledge, Ms Oppong-Yeboah expressed her support, stating that the implementation of the Act will not only promote gender equity but also foster economic growth, strengthen democracy, and address historical inequalities.
“By empowering women and ensuring their full participation in all aspects of society, Ghana can build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens,” she remarked, adding, “Gender equality is directly tied to economic growth.”
She further emphasised that the Act will boost the visibility of women in leadership and influential roles, inspiring future generations of women to pursue their ambitions and creating a positive cycle of mentorship and empowerment.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
Gender
Merck Foundation committed to empowering girls, women
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, Dr Rasha Kelej, has emphasised the foundation’s commitment to empowering girls and women.
This, she said was at the core of all initiatives and programmes at the foundation.
She said this in a statement to commemorate the International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, each year and copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday.
Dr Kelej recognised the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realise their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.
“Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women’s Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programmes and initiatives such as ‘More Than a Mother’, ‘Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement’, ‘Educating Linda’, and ‘STEM Programme,” Dr Kelej said.
She explained that the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.
The CEO of Merck Foundation mentioned that out of the 2,230 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1046 scholarships that is nearly 50 per cent have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders.
Also, she said the foundation believes that education was one of the most critical areas of women empowerment and that through its educational programme known as ‘Educating Linda,’ over 700 girls have been provided scholarships to continue their education.
Dr Kelej also noted that the programme had also provided essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cape Verde and more.
Merck Foundation, Dr Kelej said also actively empowers women in science and technology through its Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme.
“Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,” emphasized Dr Kelej.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
