Story By: Ishmael Barfi
As the world commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has launched the 2024 edition of the “16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender Violence” in Accra.
Held on 25th November 2024, under the theme “30 Years After the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Ghana,” the campaign aims to mobilize governments, decision-makers, and stakeholders to take action on issues affecting the holistic development of women and girls.
Assuring partners and stakeholders of the government’s commitment to ending gender-based violence in Ghana, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Ms. Dakoa Newman, reiterated that the Ministry has worked tirelessly with stakeholders and partners over the years to fight violence against women and children.
She emphasized the urgent need to tackle gender-based violence (GBV), describing it as a “significant barrier to gender equality in Ghana.”
Citing alarming statistics, she revealed that 27.7% of Ghanaian women have experienced domestic violence, while 38.2% of adolescent girls aged 15–19 have suffered sexual violence, according to the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey. These figures underscore the urgency for coordinated action.
“Despite existing legal frameworks and international conventions, violence against women and girls persists, undermining human rights and our national development goals,” she lamented.
However, she highlighted key achievements in combating GBV, including establishing the Orange Support Center in partnership with UNFPA. Since its inception in 2021, the center has handled 718 cases, resolved 547, and provided critical services such as counseling, legal advice, and medical support.
Additional milestones include training 180 market executives as paralegals in Accra and four other regions, equipping 105 service providers with knowledge of the Essential Services Package for Women and Girls, and renovating the Domestic Violence Shelter in Accra, scheduled to reopen by the end of 2024.
Ms. Dakoa Newman urged stakeholders to unite and work together to remove all barriers and practices that propagate gender inequalities and discrimination, thus fostering the development and growth of Ghanaian women and girls.
“Let us unite in dismantling systemic barriers to gender equality, promoting the safety and dignity of women and girls, and ensuring a future free of violence,” she reiterated.
Gender, Children & Social Protection Minister, Dakoa Newman delivering the keynote address
Commending the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and MTN Ghana, UNFPA Country Representative Dr. David Wilfred Ochan emphasized the campaign’s innovative focus on public transport through the “16 Routes, 16 Stations” initiative.
According to him, “Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. And Public transport represents a microcosm of our communities; by transforming these spaces, we send a powerful message that change is possible everywhere.”
He highlighted the need for fostering accountability and raising awareness among passengers, drivers, and conductors, as well as practical interventions such as establishing help desks, watch groups, hotlines, and referral pathways at bus terminals to support survivors.
He urged stakeholders to create transport systems free of gender violence by adopting policies that ensure safety and dignity within the transport sector.
Pledging their commitment to eradicate gender-based violence in the transport sector, the General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abugiri, described gender-based violence as a “canker rooted in inequality” and one of the most glaring human rights violations.
“As a leading transport organization in Ghana, we have consistently worked to improve the social status of our members. This campaign reinforces our resolve to raise awareness and combat gender-based violence across all terminals,” he stated.
Cross Section of drivers and mates at the event
Abugiri acknowledged GPRTU’s longstanding commitment to addressing social issues and pledged active engagement with passengers, drivers, and the broader public to promote gender equality.
The “16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender Violence” will be observed at lorry stations in all 16 regions in Ghana.
The 16 Days of Activism against sexual and gender-based violence, observed from 25th November to 10th December 2024, aims to unite the global community against violence towards women and girls.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
