Elmina (Central Region), 24th June 99 -

Women groups, in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem district, have called for the abolition of all customary practices, which retard progress of women.

They cited puberty rites, which have some extreme practices that encourage rape and therefore called for their abolition.

The women, including members of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM), Police Wives Association, GNAT Ladies Association, Fishmongers, Salt Winning and Gari Processing Association, made the call at a seminar on "abolishing some cultural practices" at Elmina on Tuesday.

The women called for the abolition of widowhood rites, which allow widows to be smeared with pepper and wear black cloths throughout the year. They are in addition, denied food during the funeral of their husbands.

They suggested that the costs of marriage and funeral ceremonies should be cut down by the elimination of wake-keeping and expensive parties that accompany burial and thanksgiving programmes.

They called for stiffer punishment for men who defile and rape girls. Madam Comfort Fiona Odartey, Regional Director of the National Council on Women and Development (NCWD), organisers of the seminar, said the role of women in the developmental process couldn't be over-emphasised and called on chiefs and Parliament to enact laws to protect the interest of women.