Report By: Ishmael Barfi
Accra, Ghana— The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) has called on policymakers, development partners, corporate institutions, and the public to support the strengthening and timely resourcing of the Domestic Violence Fund (DV Fund), warning that financial barriers continue to deny many survivors access to justice.
According to FIDA-Ghana, a well-resourced DV Fund is essential to providing critical support for victims of domestic violence, particularly women and children, who often lack the financial means to pursue legal redress and recover from abuse.
Despite the existence of the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), which criminalises physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, many survivors continue to face significant challenges in accessing justice and support services.
The organisation noted that domestic violence frequently involves manipulation, intimidation and long-term trauma, making it difficult for victims to leave abusive environments. Without adequate support systems, many are forced to return to unsafe situations.
To address these concerns, FIDA-Ghana last Wednesday organised a sensitisation workshop in Accra aimed at promoting the effective implementation of the Domestic Violence Fund and exploring ways to expand support for survivors.
The workshop brought together policymakers, civil society organisations, media practitioners and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the Fund and mobilising support from the private sector.
Speaking at the event, FIDA-Ghana Executive Director, Susan Aryeetey, said many cases of abuse remain unreported because victims perceive the justice system as inaccessible due to the costs involved.
She explained that funding for the DV Fund is often inadequate, irregular, or delayed, leaving many survivors unable to pay for medical examinations, police processes, legal representation and other essential services required to pursue justice.
“There are many women and vulnerable people in our communities who are suffering in silence because they cannot afford the process of seeking justice. This has emboldened some perpetrators to continue harming vulnerable members of society,” she said.
Madam Aryeetey stressed that FIDA-Ghana’s objective is to ensure that the Fund is adequately financed and disbursed in a timely manner while also exploring alternative avenues of support through partnerships with individuals and corporate organisations.
“Our goal is to find practical ways of ensuring that the Domestic Violence Fund is well-resourced and released promptly. We are also seeking innovative approaches to engage individuals and corporate institutions to provide direct support to victims,” she added.
Participants at the workshop agreed on several measures to strengthen support for survivors, including intensified engagement with corporate Ghana to secure financial contributions and strategic partnerships that would benefit victims.
They also committed to using media platforms to raise public awareness about domestic violence, encourage reporting, and discourage the practice of settling abuse cases privately without legal intervention.
A key issue highlighted during the discussions was the lack of shelters for victims of domestic violence. Participants expressed concern that the government currently does not operate dedicated shelters for survivors, forcing many to depend on limited private facilities.
Stakeholders called for urgent investment in safe shelters and temporary accommodation centres to provide protection and support for victims fleeing abusive situations.
They noted that strengthening the Domestic Violence Fund, expanding shelter services, and improving access to justice are critical steps toward protecting survivors and ensuring accountability for perpetrators of abuse.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
