By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, Dec 16, GNA – The Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), in partnership with the Department of Gender, has launched a campaign to raise awareness and promote actions against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Dubbed, “16 routes, 16 stations: public transports unit against GBV”, the campaign is part of activities to mark this year’s 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and the elimination of all forms of abuses against women and girls.
The nationwide campaign with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), seeks to leverage the influence of transport operators to intensify education and increase knowledge among the public on the dangers of GBV and how to stop it.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Bolgatanga, Mr. Fatawu Atinga, Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, acknowledged the critical role the GPRTU played towards the socioeconomic development of Ghana and underscored their potential in ending GBV.
He said GBV was a critical issue that affected all sectors of the economy and added that GPRTU had wider coverage and platform to intensify education and emphasised the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders to address the challenge.
“We need to live in peace and respect human rights and we at GPRTU care about the people and our passengers and that is why we think it is important for us to join the campaign to use our platform to educate the people to address GBV,” he said.
Ms. Yvonne Wonchua, Upper East Regional Focal Person of the UNFPA, explained that GBV was still a major human right issue, adding that rape, defilement, physical assault, harassment, Female Genital Mutilation, child marriage continued to perpetuate the society.
She said the UNFPA over the years had been supporting institutions and campaigns across the country towards ending all forms of abuses and called on stakeholders to join the fight.
Mr. James Twene, Upper East Regional Acting Director of the Department of Gender, explained that the department, under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, was mandated to promote gender equality.
He said although both genders suffered GBV, women and girls were the most affected and contributed to deepening the gender inequality and underscored the urgent need for collection to achieve zero forms of abuse.
“We need to strengthen collaboration with the GPRTU to intensify advocacy against GBV so that we can live in peace and harmony,” he added.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Mariam Awemoni, Commander, Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Upper East Regional Police Command, said apart from causing physical and emotional challenges to partners, GBV especially domestic violence posed significant threats to the proper growth of children.
She urged parents to lead exemplary lives of peace, support and love for their children to emulate and urged the public to report to the DOVVSU office any form of abuse for amicable solutions to promote healthy living.
GNA