Accra, March 8, GNA - It has been realized that Ghanaian parents are now crossing the northern border to Burkina Faso to have their daughters circumcised due to the criminalization of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

"This has come about due to the perception held in areas where FGM is practised that girls who do not undergo such practice will not be 'women enough,'" ACP Elizabeth Dassah, National Coordinator, Domestic Violence= and Victim's Support Unit (DOVVSU), told GNA in an interview in Accra on Tuesday. "Parents now go to all lengths to have this done for their girls,"= she said.

ACP Dassah, who was speaking on the occasion of International Women'= s Day, called for intensive education for people in areas where FGM used to b= e practiced on its negative effects and come out with practical means on eliminating the practice completely.

She expressed her displeasure about instances where some women refused to report abuses to the Police because they had come to accept it as part o= f their lot. ACP Dassah appealed to mothers to be wary of adults whom their childre= n associated with, as there were paedophiles and rapists in the society. "Many of these paedophiles and rapists are nice people who love to w= ork and play with children," she cautioned.

ACP Dassah urged women not to relent in what they did but strive to always be at the top and serve as role models for the younger ones. Mrs Madeleine Insaidoo, Deputy Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Transport, appealed to women to take up managerial positions and not allow themselves to be discouraged in the pursuit of their interests. "It is sad to note that most of the leadership and managerial posts in most organizations are dominated by men. More women should be encouraged to also take up such leadership roles," she added. She called for an end to discrimination and all other issues that coul= d hinder the progress and the total development of women as the country celebrated International Women's Day.

Mrs Agnes Sarfo=96Agyeman, Midwife, Civil Service Polyclinic, appealed= to men to be responsible, loving, respectful and caring of their wives. She urged women to upgrade themselves academically to earn them managerial positions and respect amongst their male counterparts. Madam Araba Yamoaba, a roasted plantain seller at Osu, called for severe punishment for men who abused their wives and children and urged the authorities to make available soft loans for petty traders. The International Women's Day was set aside in 1975 by the United Nations to deliberate on issues that affect the wellbeing of women globally= ..