Stop stigmatising women without children- Ghana's First lady

Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has called for an end to stigmatization against women, who have no children of their own, and a change in perception that women are to blame for fertility problems in a marriage.

Her call is based on several research works which have shown, that men contribute 50 percent to fertility challenges just as women.

Speaking at the launch of Merck Foundation’s “More than a Mother Project’, which seeks to empower, especially women who have no children of their own and have been neglected by their families, the First Lady said there is the need to encourage men to discuss infertility issues openly to demystify the stigma associated with the canker.

According to research one out of every four couple in the country has a fertility challenge and do not have children of their won.

Often the blame is put on women who are perceived to be soley responible for child bearing except on few occasions, most of them are disrespected and are sometimes physically abused ny their in-laws. This leaves most of the depressed and lonely.

The Merck Foundation’s “More than a Mother” initiative aims to empower women considered to be infertile by educating people to break the stigma around infertile women as well as empower them economically.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, the First Lady Mrs. Akufo-Addo called for an end to stignmatisation against women perceived to be infertile.
The CEO of Merck Foundation Rasha Keleji said the situation where women are constantly blamed for childlessness is unfair as child bearing is a shared responsility.
Ghana will in October this year  host the 6th edition of Merch Foundation’s Merck  Africa Asia  Luminary. It will be co hosted by the First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo Addo.