The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has engaged residents and key stakeholders in the Asokore Mampong Municipality on preventing and addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
The engagement, held at the Municipal Assembly Conference Room, formed part of a nationwide initiative under the UNFPA-supported programme on Scaling Up Access to Rights-Based Integrated Gender-Based Violence Services, aimed at strengthening coordinated responses and improving access to survivor-centred services.
The programme brought together state institutions, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, faith-based groups, service providers, survivor advocates, community members and the media.
Speaking at the event, CHRAJ Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Mercy Larbi, disclosed that Ghana had received 295 human rights recommendations from sister countries, with about half relating to gender-based violence and gender equality, underscoring the need for stronger collaboration.
She said CHRAJ is engaging communities across the country to gather views on SGBV challenges and identify practical solutions.
Participants were sensitised on various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, verbal and economic violence. Economic violence was explained to include deliberate neglect of a child’s basic needs such as food, shelter, education and healthcare.
The forum highlighted the lasting consequences of SGBV, including emotional trauma and psychological distress, and encouraged residents to speak out, support survivors and promote safer communities.
Discussions stressed that promoting gender equality, challenging harmful social norms and stereotypes, and raising children to respect one another are key to preventing violence.
The MCE for Asokore Mampong, Hon. Ben Abdallah, appealed to traditional leaders to support efforts to protect the girl child and help end child marriage and other harmful cultural practices.
Participants called for sustained education, stronger collaboration among social welfare, health, security agencies and traditional authorities, and regular community engagements to ensure survivors receive timely assistance, protection and justice.
#CHRAJ #UNFPA #SGBV #GenderBasedViolence #AsokoreMampong #HumanRights #StopGBV #GhanaNews #DailyNewsFlashGH
