DCE blames tradition for slow progress

Mr James Gunu, the Akatsi-North District Chief Executive, has blamed tradition partly for the many impediments in the fight against domestic violence in the country.

He was addressing the Volta Regional celebrations of “16 days of activism”, a global platform of campaign against gender violence at Ave-Dzadzefe.

Mr Gunu expressed worry about the tendency among “our people to cover up rape and defilement cases”.

He said even victims who reported these cases were often criticized and in some cases disowned by their families.

The theme for the Period was “From peace in the home to peace in the world: let us challenge militarism and violence against women”.

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) organized the programme.

Mr Gunu said domestic violence in any form was against the law and nature and many victims had had their future muddled.

He appealed to the police to be swift and professional on rights issues, adding the courts must be used for justice for the right environment for cohabitation.

The DCE announced the opening of a Gender Desk at the Assembly.

He appealed to religious leaders and chiefs to be advocates against the abuse of women, children and the vulnerable.

Mr. Victor Adevuh-Quarshie, the Volta Regional WILDAF Coordinator, said world records showed that one in every three women had suffered abuse.

He said women and children suffer the worst violations of their rights during conflicts.