Violence against Women worldwide has been identified as a practice that deny women and girls the opportunity to enjoy their unalienable rights and a relegation of women in some viable economic activities.
Sexual Abuse, referred to as molestation, (abusive sexual behaviour by one person upon another often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another) has gained prominence in media reportage and national discourse by various stakeholders as to how to reduce the menace in Ghana especially among the rural folks.
The UNDFP report on Violence against women and children in April, 2020 indicated that sexual violence and gender based violence is a major source of violence against women and children.
“Across socio-economic, religious and cultural settings, domestic violence has been a major source of violence against women and girls.”
the report further stated that averagely, 35% of women in Ghana have experienced some form of physical, emotional, psychological or sexual violence in the form of intimate partner violence
“In Ghana, averagely 35% of women have experienced some form of physical, emotional, psychological or sexual violence in the form of intimate partner violence. This number is most likely much higher in reality because most cases of abuse either go unidentified or unreported by victims due to social and cultural factors that value ‘keeping up appearances’. We see then, in countries that have been on lockdown much longer than Ghana, significant rise in the number of reported cases of domestic violence, mostly against women. To many victims, work spaces and schools, served as a haven from abuse; safe spaces which have now been removed due to circumstances beyond their control”
Women folks and key stakeholders however hold the view that the a lot more need to be done by government and traditional leaders to curtail the increase case of violence against women.
Female traditional, religious and community leaders from Gundork, Logre and Kongo in the Nabdam District as well as Vea, Balungu and Bongo Beo in the Bongo District have called on government to do more to stop the violence against women in Ghana especially in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
At a press conference at the premises of the Widows and orphna Movement in Bolgatanga on 26th October,2021, the women aknowledged the efforts by Government and private institutions to promote and protect human rights but were quick to add that the canker is however on the increase despite the efforts.
“Government and private institutions have made efforts to promote and protect human rights yet, Sexual and Gender Based Violence remains prevalent in the Upper East Region with women and girls being the most affected.”
The women therefore called on government to act by resourcing very key stakeholders with the responsibility to protect the rights of citizens in the region and districts to enable them educate the public on the the rights of women and children and fight the violence against women and children better.
“Government should adequately resource the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and other human rights promotion institutions so they can carry out intense community sensitisation activities on gender-based violence issues. The areas of focus should include property rights, dehumanising widowhood rites, rape, forced marriages and child marriage, witchcraft accusations, discrimination, etc. with emphasis on the consequences of their violation.”
They also appealed to government to decentralise “the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and Legal Aid to all districts to make them readily accessible and encourage citizens to readily report incidents of violation of their rights.”
The women leaders again appealed to government to create economic opportunities to women to empower them economically’
” Government should create more economic opportunities in the Upper East Region with special emphasis on market access for farm produce and handicrafts. This will economically empower rural women enabling them to avoid abuses meted out to them due to their economic vulnerability.”
Ghana Health Service reported that the recorded cases of Domestic Violence were 222 in 2018,306 in 2019 and 308 in 2020 and cases of Sexual Violence were 25, 32 and 5 for the years 2018,306 in 2019 and 308 in 2020 and cases of Sexual Violence were 25, 32 and 5 for the years 2018,
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) also recorded 609 and 619 cases in the year 2019 and 2020. As at early 2021, 38 cases were recorded in January, 2021 and 49 cases in February 2021.
With this increases in the number of reported cases in addition to the many cases that are not reported due to stigma, culture etc. which deters most survivors from seeking Justice, it will take a concerted effort with key stakeholders to end gender based violence.
The women leaders therefore want traditional leaders to enact bye-laws to regulate the closing time for late evening social events such as funerals and graduation ceremonies popular called “passing out”
“The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs should impress on traditional authorities to liaise with the local government structures to enact bye-laws to regulate the closing time for late evening social events such as funerals, etc. which are often avenues where sexual and gender based violence is perpetuated on children below the ages of 18.”
They also called on the National House of Chiefs to formulate policy guidelines to enable traditional rulers support and encourage timely reportage of criminal cases and violence against women and girls.
“National House of Chiefs should formulate policy guidelines to enable traditional rulers support and encourage timely reportage of criminal cases to the relevant authorities instead of resolving such cases at community level without providing justice to survivors.”
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com