Ghana loses landmark human rights case over menstruation taboo that denies girls education
Ghana has been found guilty of violating the rights of schoolgirls who are forbidden from crossing the River Offin on Tuesdays and during menstruation, a cultural practice that forces some girls to miss up to 12 school days every month. In a landmark decision, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of […]
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has ruled that Ghana has violated the human rights of schoolgirls in the Ashanti Region who are prohibited from crossing the River Offin on Tuesdays and during menstruation. This tradition, rooted in cultural beliefs, forces girls to miss up to 12 school days each month, severely impacting their education and academic performance.
The Committee found that Ghana failed to protect the girls from discrimination and harmful cultural practices, despite being aware of the issue. As a result, Ghana is now required to construct a permanent bridge across the river, provide safe crossing arrangements, offer academic support to affected girls, and implement sensitization programs to address the harmful practice.
Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
