By Hannah Awadzi
Accra, March 20, GNA – Sixty-one per cent of women who have ever had a husband or intimate partner have reported experiencing at least one specific type of controlling behaviour from their current or most recent partner.
The Demographic and Health Survey Report (DHS Report 2022) found that 33% of women in Ghana aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15
A statement from the UNFPA’s Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem to commemorate International Women’s Month said every 10 minutes a woman or girl dies at the hands of an intimate partner or family member.
That single statistic tells us everything about how little progress has been made in stopping violence driven by misogyny and discrimination, and what society chooses to prioritize.
The statement said in Ghana, UNFPA is working with partners across the country to end gender-based violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Additionally, 36% of these women reported experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual violence from their current or most recent partner, with 28% experiencing such violence in the past year.
Despite the existence of several laws prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the practice persisted as a serious concern for girls under the age of 18 in certain regions. According to the 2017-2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), women residing in rural areas were subjected to FGM at a rate three times higher than those in urban areas (3.6% compared to 1.2 percent).
Particularly alarming was the significantly higher prevalence of FGM in the Upper East Region. A baseline survey by University of Health and Allied Sciences in 2023 revealed that 5 per 100 population of female aged 15 – 49 years had undergone FGM in the Kasena-Nankena West and Wa East Districts, it said
“Thanks to the conducive laws, policies, and reforms in the area of gender equality and women empowerment, including the Affirmative Action Law (gender equity law), Gender Policy, GBV Act and its regulation, etc.
Other initiatives such as free SHS, and girls in STEM, are all opening opportunities for empowerment and continue to improve the situation for women and girls.”
A campaign jointly launched by UNFPA with GPRTU and MTN, called the 16 Routes: 16 Stations, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) continues to increase public awareness against GBV.
Engaging transport unions across all 16 regions, the initiative mobilized the transport sector to combat GBV, promote safer public spaces, and uphold the dignity of women and girls. The Orange Support Centre (toll free 0800111222) provides online counselling support and referral to needed medical, protection and legal services for survivors of GBV.
The statement said the UNFPA is committed to working with partners to uphold women’s rights.
“Every person should have the power to decide when to have children, no woman should lose her life while giving birth, and gender equality must shape a better future for us all. Let’s all take action to be part of the change. A future where all women and girls enjoy their rights, live in equality, and are fully empowered is within reach,” it added
GNA
HA/BM