Editorial
Let’s stand against body-shaming
Dear Editor,
Body-shaming is a phenomenon of criticising yourself or others because of some aspect of physical appearance.
Criticising another’s appearance in front of them, (i.e.: “With those thighs, you’re never going to find a date.”) Criticising another’s appearance without their knowledge. (i.e.:“Did you see what she’s wearing today? Not flattering.” “At least you don’t look like her!”)
Females are not the only ones who are body-shamed but males also, and it’s clear that ladies are the ones who are mostly criticized on their body sizes.
Body-shaming is not only talking bad about the physical appearance of both genders but also when someone receives insults such as “your head like car tyre” “your big eyes like eggs” “ your tiny legs like chopsticks” and a whole lot, are also body shaming.
People used to appreciate other forms of body stature and shapes but the story has changed. In this article I point out the problems and its various shades.
Whether you call someone “too fat” or “too slim,” one thing is clear: nobody should feel ashamed of their weight, clothing size, body-shape or have low self esteem on their beauty or looks.
The media is one of the main cause of body shaming. The media sometimes offer tips about how to lose weight “in days,” appear slimmer “instantly,” and hide our “imperfections.
Walden Behavioral Care however provides some tips on how to curb body- shaming. In order to challenge body shaming one most do the following:
Practise identifying why you are upset about a situation. Think of people who celebrate their body for what it can do, and people who refuse to comment on others’ physical appearances.
Spending time with these people can be especially helpful while you are struggling with your own internalised body-shaming, and help you view yourself – and others – more positively.
Find something (or things) you LIKE about your body. We spend so much time on advertisements about how to make our eyelashes millimetres longer and how to get whiter teeth that it’d be nice to counter some of that by celebrating what we.
Edward Nartey,
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism
Editorial
Parents urged to take responsibility for sex education
Dr. Francis Wuobar, a Gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has urged parents to take the lead in providing sex education to their children, stressing that they were in the best position to guide them through the changes of adolescence.
According to him, sex education remained a taboo subject in most Ghanaian homes, a culture that must change to prevent children from seeking misleading information elsewhere.
“With the evolving nature of society and technological advancements, today’s children will either learn about sex on the internet or from their peers, who may offer wrong advice,” he cautioned.
Dr. Wuobar noted that the health system and society often concentrate on the reproductive stage of life, neglecting the adolescent and menopausal phases.
“When a woman reaches the reproductive period and gets pregnant, everyone rallies around her. But before that stage, during adolescence, there is little attention and guidance, which has contributed to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy,” he explained.
He observed that many adolescents lack access to counseling and adolescent clinics, creating a vacuum that forces them to explore on their own.
“The answers they seek, adults and parents are not willing to provide. Their peers, who are equally uninformed, become their only source of advice. This exploration is one of the major contributors to teenage pregnancy,” he said.
Dr. Wuobar therefore called on parents to create open and confidential spaces for discussion, where children can freely ask questions about sex, puberty, and relationships.
He emphasized that parents must help adolescents understand the consequences of unprotected sex, the changes they go through, and what choices were right or wrong.
“Today’s generation is curious and asks questions, unlike in the past when children were silent. Parents should not rebuke them but rather engage them seriously and guide them through this turbulent stage,” he advised.
He further appealed to the health sector to establish more adolescent clinics across the country to give young people safe spaces to seek information and counseling.
That, he said, would help reduce the high incidence of teenage pregnancy and support adolescents in making informed decisions about their sexual health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Editorial
Addressing unhealthy conditions at Akropong Mandela Market
Dear Editor,
The Akropong Mandela Market, a vibrant centre of commerce, has been in a terrible state for over a decade now.
Central to the problem is a public toilet located near the market, which has become a breeding ground for diseases and a source of discomfort for both food vendors and customers.
This toilet, utilised by everyone in the town, is positioned too close to the market, severely affecting the vendors who spend long hours selling their goods.
They are constantly exposed to unsanitary conditions mixed with foul odours emanating from the facility.
Agnes, a vendor at the market is sad about the apparent lack of concern from those responsible for maintaining the toilet. Despite collecting user fees, there seems to be little effort to keep the facility clean and hygienic.
The situation at the Akropong Mandela Market highlights the urgent need for effective waste management and sanitation infrastructure in public spaces.
Authorities must take immediate action to ensure the facility is regularly maintained and cleaned. Vendors and customers deserve a safe and healthy environment to conduct their daily activities.
In the meantime, the vendors are urging local government officials to intervene and find a lasting solution to this problem.
Only through collective action can the health and well-being of both vendors and customers be safeguarded to restore the Akropong Mandela Market to its former glory as a thriving commercial hub.
Addo Sarah Ansah Student,
UNIMAC–IJ(BACS26275)
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