In Ghana, violence against women and girls continues to be a barrier to gender equality and the realization of women’s and girls’ fundamental rights.
Victims and society as a whole continue to suffer grave health consequences as a result of the practice.
Indigenous people in New Edubiase, Adansi South District, Ashanti Region, have been taught about the many types of violence perpetrated against women, girls, and males.
Residents were educated on legal procedures via which they can seek restitution when they are victims of violence, including sexual assault, as part of SOS-public GrEEn’s sensitization initiative.
According to the Police Domestic Abuse and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), 4,879 people in the country were victims of various types of violence in 2020.
Assault, defilement, threat of damage, threat of death, offensive conduct, rape, and non-maintenance were among the charges.
Yaa Achiaa, a 43-year-old merchant in New Edubiase, was raped by her divorced husband, as have many others.
The mother of six revealed that she had to end their relationship after the father of her first child repeatedly abused her while under the influence of alcohol.
“I divorced my prior spouse because he repeatedly abused me.”
“He instructed me to make him some supper a while back, but I didn’t since he hadn’t given me any money to cook.”
“When he got home intoxicated, he started beating me because I didn’t cook for him.” So I ran for my life,” she explained.
Officials from the Boosting Enterprise and Employment Opportunities (GrEEn) Project educated the public about violence in an effort to promote gender parity and women’s and youth’s empowerment.
The observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was held in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund.
Participants were given the necessary skills and information to reach their greatest potential without succumbing to any type of violence.
Vincent Ohene Ntow, the Training Team Lead for the SOS-GrEEn Project, said the event was part of the GrEEn’s operations in exposing people to various types of violence and teaching them on possible channels for seeking redress.
“We came here to educate the people and to let them know that there are resources available to them if they are victims of any kind of abuse.”
“Most of these folks have no idea what they’re going through.” Some of them believe it is usual for their spouses to mistreat them in various ways.
“As a result, we attempted to expose them to many types of violence, such as physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual assault,” he explained.
The New Edubiase district, like many other enclaves around the country, frequently sees concerns of abuse addressed by the local chieftaincy system; yet, most of these crimes remain unsolved.
Matilda Achiaa Yeboah, the Adansi South Social Welfare District Director, stated that the state office has put in place steps to educate the public on the need of reporting incidences of violence to the office rather than resorting to local community remedies.
“Knowing the number of violent instances in the district is difficult because most victims do not disclose them.” They prefer to use DIY remedies.
“Unfortunately, these remedies aren’t very effective. When you’re in the office, folks will occasionally report a situation that they had originally referred to the palace for redress.
“An example is when a kid is defiled. They submit the matter to the local government for redress, but only return to the office after exhausting all other options for obtaining justice for the victim,” she explained.
Haruna Hussein Nkansah, who spoke on behalf of the District Chief Executive for Adansi South, warned attendees, particularly the youth, to be wary of the persons with whom they associate.
He urged parents and other stakeholders to join in the battle against violence by supporting and contributing.
“Negative peer pressure has the potential to have life-altering repercussions.
“This is the correct and perfect time in your life to develop mature connections, healthy influences, and strong family ties.
“You’ll have a lot of unpleasant and thrilling experiences as a teenager; make your parents your greatest friends and share your secrets with them.”
“Come out of your closets, take on challenges, and change the way you live and think to accomplish larger accomplishments,” he urged.
According to several attendees, the event was useful.
“I discovered that it is not simply a wife’s responsibility to perform extensive housework.
“I’ve also been fully told that reporting your husband or spouse for domestic abuse does not ensure they will be sentenced to prison,” Yaa Achiaa added.
“As a male, you should not treat women to brutality because they are women,” said another attendee. We must continue to adore them like we did previously.
All of our children, regardless of gender, must be cared for equally. To older males who violate young girls, my suggestion is to stop.”