Lifestyle
‘Don’t stigmatise persons living with HIV/AIDS’ – Ghanaians advised
A person living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Reverend John Kworshie Azumah, has advised Ghanaians against the stigmatisation of persons living with the virus.
Rev. Azumah, who has lived with the virus for the past 23 years, said stigmatising such people exposed them to all sorts of hazards, and in some cases led to their early demise.
He reiterated that carriers of HIV were not “death agents or doom orchestrators” who transmitted the virus through whatever they handled or were involved with.
Rev. Azumah was speaking on HIV stigmatisation at a capacity-building workshop for media personnel on “Gender-Based Violence and HIV causing Stigma in our Society” in Accra on Friday.
The workshop was organised by the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+), a global inter-faith network.
Rev. Azumah explained that such persons could over time, with the intake of antiretroviral drugs and other medications, make the virus less detectable and thereby less transmittable.
As such, he stressed that people living with the virus could marry an HIV-negative person who would not be affected, as far as the infected took his or her medications.
Rev. Azumah also advised persons living with the virus to accept their condition and take their medications and also used the opportunity to advise journalists to avoid the sensationalism regarding the reportage of such cases, as such affected victims tremendously.
Speaking on “Using the Pen to Save Lives: Mental Healthcare for Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)”, Paulina Louisa Essel, a Certified Counselling Psychologist with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), indicated that SGBV was discriminatory and an obstacle to gender equality.
Again, she stated that SGBV affected everyone and was underreported for which reason journalists were to report on them, and handle survivors with “empathy and professionalism”.
Mrs. Essel encouraged journalists to avoid being judgemental, remain calm, maintain eye contact, control their emotions, listen actively and reassure survivors of SGBV as well as acknowledge their grievances.
The Director of Public Education, CHRAJ, Mrs. Nana Amua- Sekyi, in a presentation on early and forced marriages, said early child marriages were caused by poverty, teenage pregnancy, traditional beliefs, lack of education and gaps in law enforcement.
She said such marriages made children traumatised, vulnerable to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), early widowhood and increased their cycle of poverty.
Mrs. Amua-Sekyi, therefore, urged journalists to respect the rights and privacies of children when engaging them.
Men, if you think you’ve got women all figured out, prepare for some surprises. Women are complex beings, and they can be quite unpredictable.
The person you think you know today may not be the same person you see tomorrow; and that’s just the way it is.
Women crave attention, love, and lots of it. They want to feel noticed and appreciated all the time. If you slip up on this even once, then you’re calling for trouble.
While some women may unintentionally do things that hurt their partners, others plan to do so deliberately. They set out to hurt your feelings and disrupt your life.
Here are 10 intentional things women do to hurt their men:
1. Complaining despite an honest effort
One way some women intentionally hurt their men is by complaining when their partners are genuinely making an effort.
This is often done to annoy or provoke a reaction. It may stem from a desire for more attention or a way to assert control within the relationship.
2. Not being present in the present moments
Frequently using a phone or being distracted when on a date is a behaviour that can hurt a man’s feelings.
It communicates a lack of interest or attentiveness, potentially causing emotional pain or frustration.
Some women would rather do this than tell the man she’s not interested.
3. Withholding compliments
Some women refrain from offering compliments even when their partners genuinely deserve them.
This can be a way to undermine a man’s self-esteem or keep him seeking validation, thus asserting a sense of power.
4. Not initiating intimacy
Intentionally avoiding initiating intimacy, especially when aware of their partner’s desires, can be a way to control the emotional dynamics in the relationship.
This may create a sense of longing and frustration in the man.
5. Hiding things, like food
Hiding things, such as food, can be a manipulative tactic used to gain financial advantage.
By creating a situation where the man believes there is scarcity, some women may attempt to extract more money from him.
6. Setting him up for trouble
In some extreme cases, women may resort to involving others, such as authorities or gangs, to harm their partners as a form of punishment or to ‘teach them a lesson.
This action can have severe consequences for all parties involved.
7. Taking everything when separating
A common occurrence, especially in urban settings, is when a woman packs up everything in the house and leaves the home without notice.
This act is often intended to leave the man feeling helpless, confused, and emotionally devastated.
8. Leaving a young child behind
In moments of intense disagreement, some women may leave a very young child, perhaps a month or two old, with their partner.
This act aims to assert control or inflict emotional pain, suggesting that the man needs her more than he thinks.
9. Taking all the children away
Without proper communication, some women may abruptly take all the children and leave, making it difficult for the man to maintain a relationship with his kids.
This action is intended to exert power and control over the situation.
10. Disrespect in front of friends
In the company of friends, some individuals may intentionally disrespect their partners.
This could be a way of seeking validation from friends, gaining support for their perspective, or demonstrating control over the relationship.
Popular doctor, Dr. Aproko, has issued precautions to women who are fond of smoking shisha.
Dr. Aproko has stressed that contrary to popular belief that shisha soothes one’s mood, it can have major health implications on individuals, particularly, women.
According to him, the use of Shisha may cause cell distortions in the body, raising the chance of cancer-causing mutations.
He argues that these flavors frequently contain chemicals that are harmful to one’s body.
Tackling other health concerns including obesity, Aproko Doctor also advised that walking is a successful and healthy method of losing weight.
He has asked individuals to walk instead of taking buses or cars because regular, long walks can aid in weight loss.
October 13th is celebrated annually as National ‘No Bra Day’ in a bid to promote body positivity and breast cancer awareness.
What began as a social media campaign to promote self-love has transformed into a meaningful movement urging women to go braless for the day, emphasising the importance of breast cancer education, self-examination, and preventive measures.
Originally observed on July 9, 2011, National No Bra Day has found its permanent home on October 13 to align with Breast Cancer Month. This observance serves as a reminder for women to prioritize their breast health and engage in conversations about early detection and prevention.
The core mission of No Bra Day is to create awareness surrounding breast cancer, fostering a culture of understanding and support.
Women are encouraged to embrace the day by forgoing bras, sparking conversations about breast health, and advocating for regular self-examinations and screenings.
Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, and initiatives like National No Bra Day play a crucial role in educating and empowering individuals.
By leveraging the power of social media and community participation, this movement continues to gain traction each year, amplifying its impact on breast cancer awareness.
National No Bra Day collectively contributes to the ongoing dialogue about breast health through shared experiences and open conversations with the aim to break down stigmas, encourage early detection, and support those affected by breast cancer.
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