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Step up fight against gender based violence - WiLDAF to Gov't

The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), a Non-governmental Organisation is making this call as Ghana joins the rest of the world to commemorate 16 days of activism against gender violence.

Campaign against gender violence

The 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is globally marked between November 25 and December 10 every year to raise awareness about violence inflicted on women and girls across the world.

It is also a means of taking a stand against the forces that allow women and girls to be victimised because of gendered norms and stereotypes.

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This year’s campaign is being celebrated under two international themes: ‘Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls’ and “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All”.

A statement signed by Abigail Edem Hunu, Communications and Advocacy Officer of WiLDAF-Ghana said that even though Ghana has made some achievements in the campaign against gender violence, there was more to be done by all actors, particularly, the government, to ensure that all forms of violence were eradicated.

“We recognize successive government efforts in contributing to the current national response to gender based violence. The current legislative framework – such as the Domestic Violence Act 2007, the Human Trafficking Act 2005 among others, all speak to these efforts. The setting up of the Domestic Violence Secretariat, the Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit of the Police Service, and the Human Trafficking Secretariat among others are also encouraging.

“Notwithstanding these efforts, the prevalence rate of gender based violence in Ghana, both domestic and non-domestic is high as unearthed by various national surveys – the Gender Center Research in 1999 and the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey commissioned by the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection. The continued high prevalence of violence especially against women and girls demonstrates that there are some serious gaps in the national response,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement from WiLDAF-Ghana

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STATEMENT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF - Ghana) with support from Oxfam in Ghana and Crossroads International joins the International community in commemorating this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence which starts from the 25th November to 10th December.

The International campaign seeks to raise awareness of Gender-Based violence, strengthen local networks and to create of a platform for groups and individuals to lobby government to create and implement policies that oppose violence against women and children.

This year’s campaign is being celebrated under two international themes: ‘Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls’ and “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All”.

We recognize successive government efforts in contributing to the current national response to gender based violence. The current legislative framework – such as the Domestic Violence Act 2007, the Human Trafficking Act 2005 among others, all speak to these efforts. The setting up of the Domestic Violence Secretariat, the Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit of the Police Service, and the Human Trafficking Secretariat among others are also encouraging.

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Notwithstanding these efforts, the prevalence rate of gender based violence in Ghana, both domestic and non-domestic is high as unearthed by various national surveys – the Gender Center Research in 1999 and the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey commissioned by the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection.

The continued high prevalence of violence especially against women and girls demonstrates that there are some serious gaps in the national response.

We are therefore using the occasion of the 16 Days to call on the

1. Government of Ghana to:

Strengthen the implementation of laws, policies and action plans on violence against women.

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Speedily pass the Legislative Instrument to the Domestic Violence Act 2007

Implement the 2014 recommendations of the CEDAW committee to Ghana.

Urgently provide a National shelter for victims, survivors and those at risk of Domestic Violence.

2. Development Partners, NGOs, corporate bodies to:

Invest directly in women and girls toward protecting them from violence and discrimination.

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Empower girls through provision of safe spaces in schools and in communities to protect them from violence.

3. Community Leaders to:

Modify / change Social and Religious norms, beliefs and practices that cause, promote and or drive gender base violence

To every individual Ghanaian, remember we all have a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality. Let us all unite to end gender based violence.

Thank you

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Signed:

Abigail Edem Hunu

Communications and Advocacy Officer

WiLDAF-Ghana

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