Eunice Racheal Agbenyadzi, Head of Programmes at STAR-Ghana Foundation 

A forum by STAR-Ghana Foundation (SGF), to mark this year’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in Cape Coast, has called on government to include treatment of victims of all Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). 

It emerged that among the major setbacks to the fight against SGBV is the inability of victims to pay for medical examinations and police reports that will assist in dealing with the perpetrators. Other setbacks include cultural beliefs and stigmatization which continue to pose challenges for victims of SGBV. The Head of Programmes at SGF, Eunice Racheal Agbenyadzi, said the forum was the Foundation’s flagship event because there have been ongoing activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism. She said SGF has launched a social media campaign where it is sharing information and asking people to share their opinions around how women and girls can better be protected from /against all forms of violence.

Participants in the forum 

She said the choice of Central region this year’s event was because SGF had an impactful event in the region in 2018 to discuss the status of women in Ghana with recommendations on how their rights can better be promoted, hence, coming back here to reflect on progress and renew commitment to action was needful.  

Speaking on the theme for this year’s global campaign, “UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” she said that if we are to achieve better outcomes at women’s rights and gender equality, then SGBV against women and girls should be addressed. According to her, gender-based violence is prevalent in Ghana despite efforts by government and others to combat it.  

“While women and men suffer violence and abuse, women are disproportionately affected. SGBV prevents women and girls from fulfilling their potential. Therefore, we need to double up efforts in terms of legal provisions and their enforcement, and quick response in prevention and addressing impacts,” she said. 

Policy regime

According to Miss Agbenyadzi , the annual commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism has effected some policy changes such as, the set-up of the Orange Support Centre (hotlines for people in distress to be able to call for assistance) at the Domestic Violence Secretariat of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.  

Empowering women

The Governance Advisor at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Clara Osei Boateng, noted that in Ghana many incidences of SGBV do not get reported – it is either dealt with at home, at the traditional council or at church. 

Clara Osei Boateng, Governance Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Therefore, although the statistics are alarming, it does not reflect the magnitude on the ground, and thus, the United Kingdom office in Ghana is committed to promoting the well-being of women and girls. “We believe that violence against women is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality and an infringement on human rights with no social or economic values.” “Empowering women economically can help reduce their vulnerability to abuse and strengthen their independence. That is why we focus on not just ending violence but also educating our girls and empowering our women,” she said. 

Equal rights

In a welcome address, the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, urged participants at the forum to educate themselves and those around them that all human beings are equal in the sight of God. He noted that women and children have been deprived for long, and mostly regarded as responsible for household chores / keeping the home.  

“Why do we have to subject them to all kinds of atrocities? We are all gathered to share knowledge and ideas on how to end all forms of violence against women. It is about time to educate ourselves more and those around us on the fact that God created all humans equal with none above the other,” he said.  

Forum

The learning exchange forum on community led approaches to preventing sexual gender base violence against women and girls was organized by STAR-Ghana Foundation and its civil society partners. The aim was to increase awareness, galvanize effort and share knowledge with key stakeholders on innovative approaches to ending all forms of Sexual, Gender Based Violence against women and girls in Ghana.

Some critical stakeholders who joined in the conversation included traders’ associations, representatives from public sector organizations, community, and traditional leaders.  

SGF campaign

Aside the forum, SGF also joins advocates worldwide to call for an end to SGBV against women and girls.  The SGF campaign which will run from November 25, 2022, and end on December 10, 2022, is under the theme: “UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”

At the core of SGF’s work is increasing the effectiveness of civil society influence for inclusive development, and access to public services for citizens, particularly women and girls. Under the theme - “Promoting community led approaches to ending SGBV”, SGF will be creating the space for spotlighting approaches being modelled by community groups to empower women and communities against GBV.

This seeks to influence actors’ strategies and their effectiveness in tackling GBV. The overall objective is to influence the adoption of community led strategies as integral component of GBV prevention and response interventions by actors, including government and civil society organizations. 

Fact sheet

• In 2020, the Greater Accra regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), reported about 31.9% of women faced at least one form of domestic violence  

• Globally 7% of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner, as many as 38 % of assault on women are committed by an intimate partner