Editorial
Don’t demand sex from teenage girls when you support them
Some teenage girls are becoming increasingly concerned about men requesting sex from them in return for the support they provide.
The girls have urged for intervention to address their predicament, claiming that the demand for sex by men in exchange for assistance frequently leads to teenage pregnancies among them.
The girls voiced these concerns when the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted a study in three locations with over 200 adolescents, 80 percent of whom were girls.
The initiative forms part of the larger West and Central Africa strategy to ensure a better future for girls and is a component of Ghana’s national priorities for the welfare of teenage girls.
Participants were selected from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Upper West regions, including Wa, Kumasi, and Tema.
In collaboration with the government, the consultations were conducted to establish safe spaces where girls between the ages of 10 and 19 may discuss their goals and concerns and propose solutions.
The girls said that “some of us are willing to work, but there are very few opportunities available” and described their situation as a terrible reality that is having a significant impact on them.
They also bemoaned the fact that “we would gladly take jobs if we had access to them so that we can move away from this harmful lifestyle.”
Even more disturbing is the abusers’ use of their social status, influence, and power to coerce, manipulate, exploit, or threaten these defenseless girls. Some victims may feel pressured to comply with the abuser’s demands, making it difficult for them to report the abuse or escape, which causes emotional distress.
Experts in emotional therapy say that serious mental trauma, such as anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can result from feeling helpless and exploited.
The Spectator advises parents to be responsible, mentor, and assist teenagers in making decisions about their sexual health. They should also establish private, open avenues for sex education discussions in order to allow their children to ask questions about sex, puberty, and relationships,
By empowering victims, holding perpetrators accountable, creating safe environments, and fostering education and awareness we can work towards preventing sexual abuse and help reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancies.
The Spectator applauds UNICEF for promising to keep turning these realisations into tangible action by strengthening programmes that empower adolescent girls and provide them with the opportunities needed to thrive.
We also implore the government and all other stakeholders to take action in order to invest in teenage girls’ potential, promote gender equality, and provide a better future for them.
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