Second lady, Samira Bawumia under the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects has launched a campaign to sensitize and fight against gender-based violence in the country.
The event which included the outdooring of the Coalition of People against Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices (CoPASH) seeks to spearhead a national response to the issues of SGBV/HPs including case managing and increasing prevention efforts in Ghana.
Statistics in Ghana indicate that 33–37 % of women have ever experienced domestic violence in the form of intimate partner violence in their relationship with about 14 and 52 % of girls being victims of sexual abuse and gender-based violence respectively.
Describing the statistics as worrying, Mrs. Samira Bawumia said, although there were already policies and systems in place to curb the menace, more can be done should the various stakeholders partner in the fight.
She added that, with her team a data base system will be put together for domestic violence victims and other victims of harmful practices.
“We know people started fighting against gender-based violence long before we came on board, but we are joining with new energy and commitment. In Ghana, we have the laws and the regulations, so it’s up to us to get it working which is why we even have the Domestic Violence Act. What we are going to do as a coalition is to put together a data base so victims will stop re-living the experience, we will also provide a national platform to have this issue address, highlighting the negative effect of this practice on not just the health of the victims but also the economy.”
The second lady also pledged the coalition’s commitment to complete a “one-stop center” for victims of sexual and gender-based violence that was started by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit [DOVVSU] of the Ghana Police Service some ten years ago.
“In the coming weeks, we will establish an advisory board for the coalition and announce the name of its members to you. We will also develop a short and long term plan to serve as a roadmap for this campaign. There will also be constant monitoring and evaluating of efforts and strides made so we know what we are doing. DOVVSU is already aware of our commitment so we are hopeful that work will begin on the facility and get it completed by close of year.”
On their part, the Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu and the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gifty Twum Ampofo called on the public, civil society organizations and stakeholders to support the second lady in her quest to rid the country of the menace.
According to them, the campaign will not only put Ghana in a better place on the world front, but will also help in the achievement of gender equality and economic growth.
The campaign was launched under the theme; ‘Working together to end sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana’ and is being supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana.
Present at the launch was former first lady and wife of former President Rawlings, Nana konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Minister for Local Government Hajia Alima Mahama and other dignitaries and representatives from various Embassies.
