By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Bolgatanga, June 20, GNA – The Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana, a youth-focused advocacy organisation, has called for strengthened coordination and collaboration among institutions involved in responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Mr Gabriel Jeffrey Akandawen Ananya, the Programmes Manager of Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana, who made the call at a capacity building workshop on SGBV in Bolgatanga, said the move would help improve support services for survivors and help curb the menace.
Organised by the Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana under the S(HE) Project, with fudning support from GIZ, the workshop was intended to strengthen referral pathways and improve coordination among institutions responsible for addressing SGBV cases.
Mr Ananya explained that the S(HE) project aimed at addressing sexual and gender-based violence through awareness creation and action.
Mr Ananya explained that the Foundation had been working with secondary schools and communities in the West Mamprusi Municipality and identified the need to bring together stakeholders operating along the SGBV response chain to build their capacities and foster collaboration.
He said stronger cooperation among institutions would enable them to provide effective support to survivors and improve responses to cases of abuse and violence.
“Our aim is to strengthen referral pathways when it comes to SGBV and also improve coordination among stakeholders. This is also a platform for us to work more closely with stakeholders going forward,” he said.
Mr Ananya noted that discussions during the workshop had provided valuable insights into challenges confronting institutions working in the sector and would help inform future interventions by the Foundation.
“We have had a lot of reflections today, and stakeholders have shared realities on the ground. These are things that will factor into our planning processes as we seek ways to support institutions and achieve the goal of eradicating SGBV in our society,” he added.
Mr Edmond Alagpulinsa,the Upper East Regional Public Education Officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), described sexual and gender-based violence as a complex and multi-sectoral issue that required collaboration among institutions.
He said no single organisation had the capacity to address all aspects of SGBV and stressed the need for institutions to understand their mandates and make appropriate referrals.
“Sexual and gender-based violence is multi-sectoral in nature. You cannot have one single office that is capable of addressing all the issues associated with it,” he said.
Mr Alagpulinsa cited economic violence, inheritance disputes and denial of women’s land rights as some of the gender-related cases frequently reported to CHRAJ.
He urged the participants to apply the knowledge acquired from the workshop in their respective institutions and communities and to share information with others to strengthen efforts to combat SGBV.
Ms Susana Atanga, a Public Health Nurse at the Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate, said the workshop had enhanced participants’ understanding of their responsibilities in responding to SGBV cases.
She noted that health professionals had a duty to provide medical and clinical care to survivors, maintain confidentiality, conduct home visits where necessary and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Social Welfare, CHRAJ and the Ghana Education Service.
Ms Atanga called for more of such training programmes to be extended to a wider range of stakeholders, describing sexual and gender-based violence as a societal problem that required collective action.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]