By Antoinette Abbah
The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, has urged all stakeholders to work together to eliminate systemic barriers to gender equality and gender-based violence.
Speaking at the national launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Accra, she emphasised the need to ensure the safety and dignity of women and girls and called for collective action to secure a future free of violence.
She also appealed for donations to the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund, which provides critical support to survivors, and highlighted the importance of expanding its reach.
Public Transport Initiative: “16 Routes, 16 Stations”
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is marked internationally every year, from November 25 to December 10, to raise awareness and mobilise action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
This year’s campaign in Ghana sees collaboration between the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, GPRTU. The initiative aims to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in the transport sector, engaging drivers, conductors, and passengers in creating safer spaces.
Statistics
Globally, every 10 minutes, partners and family members killed a woman or a girl intentionally in 2023. Nearly one in three women experience violence in their lifetime. Girls are at particular risk of violence, as 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by their partners. In Ghana, alarming statistics revealed that 27.7% of Ghanaian women have experienced domestic violence, while 38.2% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 have suffered sexual violence.
Madam Newman therefore underscored the urgency for coordinated action. “Since its inception of the Orange Support Center in 2021, the center has handled 718 cases, resolved 547, and provided critical services such as counseling, legal advice, and medical support. We need to put more effort in place to help more women,” Newman stated.
UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, said Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. He said public transport represents a microcosm of the communities; thus, by transforming these spaces, it will send a powerful message that change is possible everywhere.
“We need to raise awareness among passengers, drivers, and conductors, as well as practical interventions such as establishing help desks, watch groups, hotlines, and referral pathways at bus terminals to support survivors,” Dr. Ochan said.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, said the UN had been at the forefront of efforts to end gender-based violence for over two decades.
It is imperative for stakeholders to confront the reality that gender-based violence remains a significant global issue and tackle it without complacency. Mr Abani encouraged the public to participate in the campaign and other partnerships to end violence against women.
General Secretary, GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, advised the public to stop violence against women while urging men who were abused by women to also report to the appropriate authorities for redress. He also pledged the union’s commitment to address social issues and active engagement with passengers, drivers, and the broader public to promote gender equality.
Symbolic Flag Campaign
As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a symbolic flag will travel through all 16 regional capitals and 16 major bus stations across the country to amplify the campaign’s message.
