By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Kadjebi (O/R), Dec 12, GNA – ActionAid Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in partnership with the Network of Communities In Development (NOCID), a Kadjebi-based NGO, has marked this year’s Global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence at Kadjebi in the Oti Region.
The Day was observed on the theme: “Towards Beijing +30: Revolting against Structural Violence | Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls”.
Welcoming the participants, Madam Agnes Afua Obour, NOCID Co-ordinator, said, they gathered as a unified body with a common goal of ending violence against women and girls and that her Organisation and ActionAid were very key about ending violence against women and girls.
She said, they were working tirelessly to bring to an end all forms of violence against women and girls and that the approaches to end gender-based violence required transformative structural shifts, anchored in cross-movement and cross-issue.
Madam Obour said they aimed to support the impactful and inclusive convergence of voices and activities to demand urgent action and accountability to prevent violence, as was envisioned in the Beijing Platform for Action Declaration which included promoting collective action to increase the visibility of gender-based violence as a global pandemic.
The NOCID Co-ordinator said they also aimed to use the Global 16 Days of Activism to str
gender-based violence, on-going multiple and intersecting crises and visions for a feminist, and just transition, again mobilise and amplify the voices of women and young people fighting the continuum of gender-based violence and challenging its structure causes.
She said the NGOs would also enhance collective mobilization and solidarity building against gender-based violence across sectors; including, but not limited to ecological and climate activists and movements, peasant and farmer movements.
Madam Obour appealed to the duty bearers to see gender-based violence as global crises; and placed it at the centre of decisions, policies, strategies and actions and respond to them accordingly.
Mr. Anthony Ankutse, Kadjebi Deputy District Co-ordinating Director, said despite some progress under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, “we still live in a world where violence against women and girls persists”.
He said structure violence, in particular, perpetuate inequality and discriminates against women in all spheres of life.
“We see it in the laws that restrict women’s autonomy, in the social norms that justify domestic violence, and in the economic systems that perpetuate poverty and exclusion,” he added.
Mr. Ankutse, who speaks on behalf of the Kadjebi District Chief Executive, Mr. Wilson Kwami Agbanyo, said there was the need to revolt against these structures that perpetuate violence and inequality through unity to demand for change, demand for justice, and demand to end violence against women and girls.
Superintendent Frank Nana Asomaning, Kadjebi District Police Commander, said violence, be it physical, sexual, economic or emotional was a crime punishable at the Law Court.
Mr. Eric Arthur Fynn, Kadjebi District Director, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, said fight against gender-based violence was a collective issue, so everyone must get involved.
Other speakers include; NCCE District Director, District Director, Department of Food and Agriculture, Girl-Child Officer and Medical Radiographer from the St. Mary Theresa Catholic Hospital, Dodi-Papase.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is celebrated annually from November 25 to December 10.
It is celebrated to raise awareness about the prevalence of gender-based violence, to support survivors, and advocate for policies and practices that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
GNA