By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Nov. 23, GNA – The Anglican Mothers Union of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Anglican Church has embarked on a sensitisation campaign against gender-based violence at Eguaase community near Cape Coast.
The members enlightened learners of the Good Shepherd Anglican Basic Schools, as well as community members on the various forms of violence and urged victims to promptly report to appropriate authorities.
To create awareness, the women together with the leaners displayed placards along the Mankessim – Cape Coast highway with various messages including, “No Excuse for Violence against Women,” “Stop Gender Stereotyping,” “Support Abused Children,” “Real Men Respect Women,” and “Unity against Domestic Violence.”
The exercise marked the official launch of the Diocese’s participation in the annual ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,’ an annual international campaign that runs from Tuesday, November 25 to Wednesday, December 10 to help end violence against women and girls.
The campaign, which began in 1991, commences on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concludes on Human Rights Day to raise awareness and galvanise action to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.
Within the period, all 54 parishes of the Cape Coast Diocese will ‘RISE UP’ (Respond, Inform, Support, Empower, Unite, Pray) against the canker through community sensitisation, schools’ outreaches, social media campaign, workshops, and seminars.
They will also provide education on radio and TV, embark on survivors’ support programmes, organise prayer sessions, hold a vigil, and advocate for reforms.
Mrs Nancy Ekyem, President of the Union, noted that gender-based violence included physical and sexual assault such as kicking, rape, defilement, unwanted touching, exploitation of minors, and forced prostitution.
It also took the form of economic abuse, emotional abuse, humiliation, isolation from friends, and harmful cultural practices.
Denouncing all forms of abuse, she encouraged victims to promptly visit the hospital, and report to the social welfare office or call the police for support.
“Do not allow any man to touch you inappropriately. As students, when you are subjected to abuse, you should quickly report to your parents, your teachers or anybody you can trust.
“If you can’t tell your teacher, go to any social welfare office and they will come to your aid,” she said.
Mrs Ekyem emphasised the need to educate and empower women to give them economic independence and enable them to stand up for their rights.
She also drummed home the need for more safety shelters to accommodate and support victims of abuse.
She was hopeful that the sensitisation campaign would spur the enactment of local law to fight the canker of violence at the community level.
For her part, Madam Ama Atta Sagoe, the Vice President of the Union, advised the young leaners against teasing as it constituted emotional abuse and resulted in low self-esteem.
“Treat one another with respect and value yourselves because each of us is unique and special,” she noted.
The exercise was crowned with the donation of second-hand clothing and other items to some community members.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Linda Asante Agyei