Story By: Faiza Mahamuda || Sanatu Zambang
Tiyumba Hope foundation held its annual teen summit in Tamale on the 31ST of May 2022 at the Radach Lodge and Conference Centre on the theme “ Reproductive health; a measure of Equity and Human rights”.
The annual regional teen summit organised by Tiyumba Hope Foundation is in its second edition. The summit, which is the convening of students from different levels of education in the region is about mentoring and bringing season speakers to interact with teens and also talk about their sexual and reproductive health, rights and responsibilities.
The executive director for Savannah Women integrated Development, Hajia Alima Saeed Sagito who happened to be the first speaker for the program highlighted the dangers of sexual violence in society and its effects.
“1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. As many as 1 in 4 women experience physical and or sexual violence during pregnancy. It is estimated that up to 10 million children are victims of child sexual exploitation.” She said.
She mentions the need for everyone to join the crusade in ending the menace and protecting women and girls so that they can live up to their dreams and aspirations. She also spoke about some health rights which include the right to life, the right to development, the right to choose whether or not to marry and sexual and reproductive health rights.
The topic for discussion was essential because as a society, there need to be conscious efforts by all actors to eliminate all kinds of stigma against women and girls in the exercise of their rights. Sheikh Ilyas Umar, a religious scholar and a retired teacher also spoke about the role of Islam in protecting girls and women and how Islam upholds women in high esteem.
He said Islam protects everyone. According to him, there is a reason Islam does not allow women to lead prayers or why men are not allowed to shake hands with women. These he says are all security measures to protect
