Gender
Simple but effective ways to de-stress
Being inactive can be stressful and frustrating sometimes, because the body requires a considerable amount of activeness to be able to function properly.
However, these unusual holidays (COVID-19) somehow brings less economic and academic work, but the home has become one of the ‘busiest’ places during this pandemic and it’s no secret that when children are ‘idle’ at home 24/7, stress is almost inevitable.
The Spectator Gender highlights some simple but effective ways for parents and guardians to de-stress.
Simple massages
One does not always require a masseur (a male who massages) or masseuse (a female who massages) to get a massage, train spouses to give simple massage to relieve stress and also boost the immune system; gently bend and rub the knees to ease tension in the joint; on the neck, hold your hands behind your head and make small, deep circles with your thumbs, and to release tension in your face, try rubbing your forehead and jaw with your fingers.
Take a tech time-out
It is always good time to be in 24/7 connection with people outside the home, workplace, school among other places but having the smart phone, laptops and other gadgets for communication make it hard to have some required level of peace. To release stress, unplug and pull away from the screen at least for few hours in the day.
Bath regularly
Having a warm bath can improve blood flow and is a very good way to keep you relaxed. Some research found that people who bathe on a regular basis feel less stressed and tired and even smile more. Bathing at least twice a day is also a helper in releasing stress. Another helpful trick is that during hot afternoons, a cold bath under shower, or simply using a bucket to pour water on your head downwards can ease tension and some headaches. Bathe right before bed and the rise and fall of your body temperature can also help you fall asleep.
Make a to-do-list
Being organised in several aspects of one’s life can be beneficial and also release stress. Make a simple list of daily, weekly and monthly “to-dos” and hang it in a visible place around the home. Doing this has many advantages including helping to meet deadlines and avoid last minute pressure of executing your work.
De-stress with music
Music has a soothing way of relaxing nerves; tune relaxing music has a direct effect on the nervous system. It slows the rate of heat beat and breathing, lowers your blood pressure, and signals your muscles to soften. When one needs to mentally feel relaxed, your best bet is to choose the music you love.
Have a nap
Having a short sleep helps in the de-stressing process. A short midday snooze can help lower tension and boost your mood. This is often beneficial to people who are unable to sleep for about seven hours, which is closest to the required amount of sleep the body needs.
Take a short nap for about an hour, find a quiet, dark place to close your eyes for 20 minutes and you’ll wake refreshed and more alert. Some people do not like afternoon nap for the fear of waking up “dazed” or “slow”. But having a short sleep can reduce the tendency of being slow.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system.
She urged women lawyers to build on the legacy of trailblazers who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.
Madam Bampoe Addo made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “The role of women lawyers in national development: honouring trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo said the progress made by women in the legal profession was not accidental but the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination.
She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, saying their achievements broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women lawyers.
She commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mrs Sophia Akuffo, and Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo, whose leadership reflected the growing influence of women in Ghana’s judiciary.
Women lawyers had made significant contributions across multiple sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement.
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that their efforts had advanced gender equality, strengthened institutions and improved access to justice in the country.
She expressed concern about the persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women.
The courts, she noted, must not only deliver justice but must also communicate it in a manner that upheld respect and fairness for all parties.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
She called for a more progressive and context-sensitive approach to adjudication, drawing on comparative jurisprudence from other jurisdictions to ensure fairness and equity.
Madam Bampoe Addo urged legal practitioners and judges to build on progressive legal precedents and ensure that Ghana’s legal system evolved to reflect contemporary social realities.
She emphasised the importance of mentorship and inclusivity, encouraging women in leadership to create opportunities for others and support the next generation of female lawyers.
She called on young women to pursue legal careers with confidence, adding that the profession offered vast opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Donkor, the Director-General of CID, said women lawyers played indispensable roles in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
They had excelled in various fields and occupied key leadership positions, contributing to policy reforms and championing justice for vulnerable groups, she added.
COP Donkor paid tribute to trailblazing women lawyers whose achievements continued to inspire and motivate younger generations to strive for excellence.
She urged students and young practitioners to go beyond academic successes and embrace the broader mission of promoting justice, fairness and societal transformation.
She encouraged more women lawyers to consider careers in the Ghana Police Service, describing law enforcement as a critical area where legal expertise was needed to strengthen justice delivery.
She commended the organisers of the conference for the success, saying it would encourage the next generation of women lawyers to continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s development. – GNA
The Dzidula Pink Foundation has engaged expectant mothers on cervical cancer at a recent pregnancy clinic held at St Gregory Hospital, Budumburam in the Awutu Senya East District.
The engagement formed part of its advocacy on early cancer detection to safeguard maternal health.
It also formed part of the foundation’s broader mission to raise awareness about cancers affecting women, particularly at a time when many may be least likely to consider screening especially pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Addressing a gathering of pregnant women at the clinic, the president of the foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, highlighted a worrying trend where a significant number of women are diagnosed with cancer around the time of delivery.
This, she noted, often results from delayed screening and limited awareness about the importance of early detection.
She educated the women about the need to prioritise their health by undertaking timely cancer screening, even while navigating the demands of pregnancy.
She reiterated that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.
“Pregnancy should not be a reason to delay screening. In fact, it is a critical period where heightened awareness can save lives,” Ms Gozo said.
The engagement also created a platform for open dialogue, allowing the expectant mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from health professionals present at the clinic.
Health experts at the facility echoed the foundation’s message, underscoring that routine checks and screenings, when done early, can lead to timely interventions and better health outcomes for both mother and child.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
