By Kingsley Nana Buadu
Advise has gone to chiefs and opinion leaders in the Coastal communities across the country to refrain from settling cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in their communities.
Such cases, according to the Central Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Richlove Amamoo, are beyond their jurisdiction and should be referred to the Department of Gender or DOVVSU.
At a Durbar as part of activities marking this year’s International Day for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls at Ekumfi Narkwa in the Central Region, Women in fishing or Coastal Communities were also charged to report violence against them to DOVVSU for proper settlement.
The Durbar was organized by the Women in Fisheries Against Violence, The WiFVEs Project.
Gender-Based Violence is still reported to be a major challenge in the Coastal communities.
The gendered nature of the fishing industry globally and in Ghana is a well-documented phenomenon.
The incidence of Sexual and gender-based violence is pertinent within the sector as a result of the patriarchal and segregated nature of the sector.
SGBV has been identified as one of the most extensive forms of gender inequalities facing the sector with alcoholism and domestic violence being very visible features within the fishing communities.
The commemorative event within the 16th day of activism against gender-based violence aims to raise awareness about the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and the urgent need for collective action to eliminate it.
The theme for the event which was organized by the WiFVEs project supported by the European Union is under the theme “Unite! Invest to prevent Violence against Women and Girls”.
The programmes manager for CEWEFIA, Nicholas Smith, explained that violence against women and girls is an affront to the protocols of equality and Justice that global society claims to uphold.
He therefore called for unity not only to acknowledge the challenges of SGBV but invest in eradicating the menace.
The Central Regional Director for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Richlove Amamoo, stressed how serious the issues is at the coastal communities.
She urged women not to allow such cases to be settled in the communities but report them to DOVVSU to deal with them properly and protect them.
A representative from DOVVSU, Detective/Corporal Sarah Asabeah Asiedu, noted that not all cases of gender-based violence reported to DOVVSU ends up breaking the marriages.
“Most of these cases lead to proper settlement and happy marriage thereafter,” Detective Corporal Asabesh, noted.
A drama depicting issues of SGBV in the fishing communities was staged.
