Gender Ministry to host conference on Gender-based violence

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is set to host a high level conference on gender-based violence on Wednesday, 30 th July, 2014 in Accra.

The conference which will bring together ministers and government officials is aimed at developing a comprehensive cross-disciplinary strategy for the prevention and elimination of the practice in the country.

It will also provides an opportunity for Ministers to renew Ghana’s political commitment to the gender agenda, with particular regards to the elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (GSBV) in  Ghana.

Available reports and statistics from the Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service indicated that between 2011 and 2013, 54,415 cases of sexual and gender-based violence cases were reported.

Based on this backdrop, the Ministry is of the firm belief that Ghana cannot move forward unless women and girls have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and achieve their full potential without living in fear of violence.

‘Unfortunately, the scale and true nature of sexual and gender-based violence in our country, in spite of increased awareness, is alarming and threatens national development’ a statement from the Gender Ministry said.

The themes for the conference include:
The prevalence and implications of SGBV in Ghana;

Existing government interventions to address sexual and gender-based violence; The gaps and challenges, as well as  understanding SGBV as a human rights issue,

In terms of strategy; Focusing on the need to actively engage men and boys in the interventions aimed at reducing SGBV and the need for a coordinated cross agency approach.

The final outcome will be a Ministerial Communiqué and an Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Ghana.

AS a government institution mandated to ensure the promotion of gender equality through the mainstreaming of gender considerations to all persons especially the vulnerable, the Gender Ministry will ensure the communiqué is implemented to the fullest.

  Story by Ghana/Adomonline.com/Adwoa Gyasiwaa