By Kingsley Mamore,
Dambai (O/R), July 10, GNA – Stakeholders in the Oti Region have expressed concern over the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and called for stronger prevention measures, improved survivor support services and enhanced collaboration among institutions to address the growing challenge.
The concerns were raised during a stakeholder engagement on gender-based violence (GBV) and reproductive health, where participants reviewed findings from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) and the 2022 Ghana Women’s Health Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
Presenting the findings, Madam Esther Hammond, Acting Oti Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the data showed that about 61 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 years in the region had experienced at least one form of controlling behaviour by an intimate partner.
She said the findings underscored the urgent need for sustained interventions to promote healthy relationships, protect the rights of women and girls and strengthen mechanisms for preventing violence within intimate relationships.
She identified Krachi West, Krachi Nchumuru and Nkwanta South as areas where risk factors associated with intimate partner violence appeared to be more pronounced.
According to her, factors such as emotional, economic and physical controlling behaviours, geographical isolation, limited access to specialised protection services and persistent socio-economic challenges often prevented survivors from seeking timely support.
Participants described intimate partner violence as a serious public health and human rights issue with far-reaching social, economic and psychological consequences for survivors, their families and communities.
They called for intensified public education on gender equality, respectful relationships and the harmful effects of domestic violence, while advocating improved access to counselling, healthcare, legal aid and protection services for survivors.
Stakeholders also stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the Ghana Health Service, the Department of Social Welfare, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and community leaders to strengthen prevention, referral and response mechanisms.
They also recommended increased investment in district-level data collection, research and monitoring to support evidence-based planning, policy development and resource allocation for tackling intimate partner violence across the region.
The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts by stakeholders to promote gender equality, safeguard vulnerable groups, and strengthen community-based responses to gender-based violence in the Oti Region.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/George-Ramsey Benamba