Otiko decries violence against women

Children, Gender and Social Protection Minister Otiko Afisah Djaba has decried violence against women in the country and called on parliament to play a part to ensure justice is served female victims of abuse.

Reading a statement to commemorate World Women’s Day today, 8 March, 2017, on the floor of parliament, Ms Djaba condemned two recent violent attacks against women in the country.

It is recalled that over a fortnight ago, an alleged female thief was assaulted by a mob in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.

Another female was assaulted on Sunday February 26 when a Lebanese supervisor at the Abelenkpe branch of Marwako restaurant dipped the face of a lady employee in pepper paste for fidgeting with a blender and working slowly.

Ms Djaba said her Ministry would prevent abuse against women in the country through aggressive advocacy.

“A woman was assaulted for alleged stealing and the Marwarko pepper incident… These harrowing and inhuman incidences affect Ghanaian women negatively. It is very disturbing that the Marwako incident is coming at a time when the theme for the celebration [of International Women’s Day] is about the changing world of work for women. These humiliating and dangerous violent acts against women must be prevented,” she stated.

“The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection will collaborate with stakeholders to prevent it through dialogue and aggressive advocacy. This is the reality of the existence for many of our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Being honourable members, we trust you join us to condemn these heinous acts against daughters of Ghana and support us to ensure that the perpetrators are properly sanctioned as prescribed by the laws of Ghana.

“We need to restore, protect and promote the dignity of women for the empowerment of women constitutes the empowerment of our community…” adding: “We need as a nation to take stock of women’s achievements of respecting their rights. This should be a collective national and individual responsibility.”