The Upper East Regional branch of the 31st December Women Movement, on Friday organised a symposium to mark the 20th anniversary of the movement.

The Regional Organiser of the Movement, Mrs Elizabeth Koob called on the members to rally behind female contestants in the forthcoming district level elections since women have the potential and political zeal to make positive contribution to their communities. She said this, could only be possible if women exposed their ability by actively engaging in politics.

Mrs Koob debunked allegations that the movement was dead because it was affiliated to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and said, "31st has come to stay, we are still alive and intact, so there is no fear". She said the movement had played a significant role in communities and brought relief to rural people through the provision of portable water, social centres and day care centres.

Mrs Koob said that the movement had trained several traditional birth attendants and women to take up leadership roles through non-formal education classes. Speaking on the topics "breast feeding and HIV/AIDS," Ms Olivia Achiluba, a nurse at the Bolgatanga North sub-district health administration, said exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of birth built certain resistance within the baby's body against diseases.

She encouraged them to breast feed their babies to reduce the risk and expenses in buying drugs, which she added, were expensive. The nurse noted that HIV/AIDS was spreading very fast especially among the youth, and urged the women to advise their children to reduce the risk of infection.

She demonstrated the use of the male and female condoms to the participants.