The First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo has called for an end to stigmatisation of women especially with infertility challenges.
According to the First Lady, the growing phenomenon is becoming a problem as it discourages a lot of people with such condition to seek early treatment.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the call at the launch of a book on Infertility titled “Kofi Story” which seeks to break the stigma on Infertility.
The launch of the book is part of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother Project being rolled out in Africa on issues of infertility.
This prevalence rate of infertility is said to be very high and Majority of the cases is said to be as a result of untreated infectious disease such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Genital mutilation, unsafe abortion and unsafe delivery.
Women therefore bear the brunt of discrimination as childlessness is always associated to them. First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo expressed worry over the phenomenom where women are blamed for infertility, although 50 percent of infertility are due to men.
She said, there is therefore the need to encourage men and women to speak up and discuss their infertility issues openly and seek medical attention adding that people should desist from blaming women when there is childlessness in the marriage because infertility ois a shared responsibility.
CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej said the there is the need to educate the youth about issues on infertility so that they can lead healthy lives.She called for intensification and awareness creation of infertility in order to break the stigma.
Story by Yvonne Atilego
