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Nana Oye Lithur, Minister For Gender, Children And Social Protection has expressed government of Ghana’s deepest condolence to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives to the Ebola outbreak in the West African sub-region.

In a speech delivered at the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, USA, Hon. Lithur stated that “I would also like to extend my condolencesto the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, including courageous health workers who are in the front line managing the Ebola crisis in our sub region”.

“…The Ebola outbreak has caused so much humanitarian disaster, displaced many people and created a wave of orphans, and also negatively impacted the economic fortunes of affected countries, and the sub-region as a whole”.

To her, the Ebola virus caused so much humanitarian disaster, displaced many people and created a wave of orphans, and also negatively impacted the economic fortunes of affected countries, and the sub-region as a whole.

“Since Ebola is spread through bodily fluids, women as primary care providers in the community and as medical professionals, are at an increased risk of contracting the virus. Furthermore, travel restrictions are another challenge for women”.

Quoting a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), Nana Oye Lithur said that across Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone collectively, there have been unverified figures cited in press quotes from authorities in Liberia that estimate as many as 75% of their Ebola fatalities are women, whilst similar sources in Sierra Leone report women representing around 59% of the deaths by Ebola.

“The WHO states that the impact of the Ebola crisis also goes beyond morbidity and mortality. The disease outbreak is having a significant impact on the economy and people’s livelihoods in the region, especially in rural areas. With limited access to markets smallholder farmers (predominantly women) are unable to sell their produce whilst cross-border traders (70% women in the Mano-River Union region)”

“Ebola response should address the needs of women and harness our leadership roles as caregivers, change agents and community leaders. It is vital that women are equipped with requisite knowledge on EBOLA, so that they are able to support the Ebola prevention programmes” she appealed to the international community.