By Oforiwa Darko
Statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) show that cases of Gender-Based Violence, especially among women and girls continue to go underreported and stigmatized. The few cases that are reported by victims who master the courage to do so mostly miss justice. In this report, GBC news’ Oforiwa Darko looks at the social responses of Gender-Based Violence, from reporting to prosecution of perpetrators and care and support for victims.
Each incident of gender-based violence is a violation of an individual’s rights that can have a significant
In October 16, 2021, a 31-year-old woman was stabbed by her 40-year-old husband in front of her six-year-old daughter after being battered by her husband, at Nyankyerenease in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. On 30th March 2021, a thirty-eight-year-old man, Gali Galo, battered his 34 old wife, Beatrice Logosu, to death. The suspect, Gali Galo, was apprehended after he secretly sent the victim’s body for preservation at the mortuary.
A man allegedly beat his 6-month-old wedded wife, to death at Atwima Agogo in the Ashanti Region. A 45-year-old painter, John Arthur, in August 28, 2021, was arrested by the Police after he allegedly defiled a 6-year-old girl at Sowutuom in the Greater Accra Region and in December 2021, a 42-year-old woman was beaten to pulp by her husband, at Maheam-Galilea, Kasoa, following a misunderstanding between the couple. The victim, suffered multiple injuries, including an eye injury.
https://youtu.be/LPzcilw4KV4
These are among cases of Gender-Based Violence that happened before family, friends and neighbors identified previous signs of physical abuse meted out by the husbands to their deceased wives. Although victims of such crimes find it difficult to report to authorities, statistics available at the Accra Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), show that reported cases of abuse keep increasing by the day.
Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator at the Coalition of Domestic Violence Legislation, Ghana, Mr. Adolf Awuku Bekoe, further reiterated the need for accessibility of specialized support system in emergency settings, especially in deprived communities.
According to Mr. Adolf Awuku Bekoe, access to justice for victims of Gender-Based Violence, GBV, is crucial in responding to the needs of survivors and also changing the narrative of Gender-Based Violence.
Statistics available at the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service indicate that 1,047 girls were defiled, while 305 women were raped in 2020. However, the number of reported cases was less than the actual number of incidents that occurred.
