A survey conducted by Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) says the Upper West Region has the second highest rate of child marriages in Ghana with 39.2 percent of girls married before their 18th birthday.

Upper West regional Director of Gender, Mrs. Mary Assumpta Mwinsingteng, is, therefore, calling for a concerted effort to control the increasing rate of child marriages and teenage pregnancy in the Region.

‘‘We have been going into the communities to sensitize parents, guardians and the girls on the need to stay away from men in order to be responsible mothers in future,’’ she added.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Joy News' Rafiq Salam on International Women’s Day in Wa, Mrs. Mwinsingteng said the issue of child marriages, teenage pregnancy, poverty and female genital mutilation remains the biggest challenge women face in the region.

According to her, another worry for the Region is the increasing rate of obstetric fistula in the region.

Last year, 10 women were diagnosed with obstetric fistula, which the Gender Ministry with support from some organizations has worked to correct. This year, the figure reduced to nine and the victims are currently receiving treatment at Mankessim Mercy Clinic in the Central Region.

This year's celebration of International Women’s Day Tuesday in Wa attracted several women groups in the Upper West Region including faith-based organizations and the Ghana Federation of the Disabled.

They moved around some principal streets in Wa with brass band music after which there was a health screening exercise for the participants.