The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) in collaboration with its Development Partners (DPs) have joined the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender-Based Violence today, Friday 25th November 2022 in Accra.
The 16 Days of Activism dubbed: “UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls” is an International Campaign that runs between 25th November and 10th December every year.
The commemoration is used as an organizing strategy by governments, individuals, and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Addressing participants, the Deputy Minister/Minister Designate for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Lariba Zuweira Abudu (MP) expressed her appreciation to Development Partners, the CSO fraternity and the Government Agencies for uniting to support the campaign.
According to her, Sexual and Gender-Based violence are some of the common happenings that are criminal in nature and continue to put women and girls at a disadvantage in terms of health, education and the general well-being of their development.
‘This is unacceptable and unjustified,’ she added
In the quest to continue to increase awareness and fight the course for the vulnerable in the country, the Minister Designate announced that the Ministry is reviewing the Domestic Violence Act, 732 (2007) and its Legislative Instrument, the National Domestic Violence Policy, the Operational Plan on Ending Child Marriage and the National Gender Policy.
Hon Zuweira Abudu commended the Government of Ghana for providing resources towards the Domestic Violence Fund for the upkeep of Victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country.
‘The Ministry intends to operationalize its shelter in Accra by 1st quarter of 2023 to support survivors when the need arises,’ she made it known.
She made a plea to traditional and opinion leaders not to condone these forms of abuse (rape, defilement among others), under the cover of culture and tradition.
“To the public, all Ghanaian women, girls, clergy, and mallams, I encourage you to speak up against gender-based violence in our societies and find solutions, let no one die in silence and let no one be left behind in Sustainable Development Goals Agenda,” she emphasized.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr Charles Abani in a statement said the Development Partners, CSO’s and Government Agencies must act in unity to reverse the situation and create a world based on gender equality, and respect for women and girls since a lot of them endure violence in conflict, harassment at a work among others.
He pledged the UN’s commitment to work with Government and other stakeholders to promote law and policies that address child marriage and protect the most vulnerable.
