Gender-Based Violence Requires Collective Action, Says ActionAid Ghana

BOLGATANGA: Gender-based violence can be effectively tackled through coordinated efforts and collaboration, according to ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a non-governmental organization operating in the Upper East Region. The NGO emphasizes that empowering women and girls and holding perpetrators accountable are crucial steps in preventing violence.According to Ghana News Agency, AAG's Programme Officer, Mr. Yakubu Akuka, highlighted during a regional stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga that gender-based violence represents a human rights violation impacting millions worldwide, predominantly affecting women and girls. Mr. Akuka outlined that the issue transcends age, culture, class, and geography, manifesting in various forms, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, child marriage, and digital abuse.The stakeholder engagement was part of the activities marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, themed "United to End Violence Against Women and Girls." The event gathered repr esentatives from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Ghana Education Service (GES), as well as clergy and students.Mr. Akuka noted progress in combating gender-based violence, citing the implementation of policies, establishment of shelters, and increased awareness. However, he acknowledged that significant challenges remain, with one in three women globally experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In Ghana, domestic violence, child marriage, and sexual harassment persist as ongoing issues.Mr. Akuka underscored AAG's initiatives, including advocacy for policy reforms, educational campaigns, and empowerment programs for survivors. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration among governments, NGOs, traditional and religious leaders, businesses, and individuals in taking collective responsibility to address these issues.He called on policymakers to allocate more resources for law implem entation and ensure justice is both swift and accessible. Community leaders, he noted, play a crucial role in changing cultural norms to eradicate practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.Mr. Jaladeen Abdulai, the Upper East Regional Director of CHRAJ, stated that gender-based violence is inherently criminal, urging that such acts should be reported to the police rather than settled domestically.