BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com|
A five-day training workshop on the prevention and early response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has been held in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital, for stakeholders on the theme “Promoting Peace and Security in Africa to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The workshop, which was under the auspices of the Women, Peace, and Security Institute (WPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in collaboration with the Government of Norway, was aimed at empowering community actors to address Gender-Based Violence in the country.
The workshop gathered 50 participants across five regions from various sectors, including the Police, Ministry of Gender, Department of Social Welfare, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Media, Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), traditional and community leaders, health professionals, and the Judiciary.
The objective was to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively prevent and respond to GBV not only in Ghana but also across Africa.
Opening the training on Monday, July 10, 2023, Air Commodore George Kweku Arko-Dadzie, the Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, underscored the urgency of addressing GBV, highlighting international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women (CEDAW), UNSC Resolution 1325, and Resolution 1820.
The Deputy commandant also mentioned the WPSI’s research in 2020, which revealed a high rate of GBV in Ghana due to a lack of capacity among local actors. He was therefore optimistic that the training would enhance participants’ capacity and professional lives as they combat GBV.
Mrs. Thywill Eyra Kpe, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, stressed the importance of addressing GBV at the household level to prevent its escalation. She stressed the need to demystify Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and understand how gender stereotypes influence data collection for effective intervention. Mrs. Kpe also highlighted the significant economic costs of SGBV to Ghana, noting that approximately GHC 18 million was spent on SGBV response.
Dr. Senanu Djokoto, the Acting Volta Regional Director of Health Services, touched on the health implications and complications of GBV, including sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, teenage pregnancies, related complications, and mental health issues. He reiterated the health service’s goal of improving the health status of all individuals in Ghana, including adolescents and young people, through violence prevention, policy strengthening, and response services for victims and survivors.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, in a message delivered on his behalf by Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, noted that SGBV is a serious violation of human rights that should not be tolerated, stressing on the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in communities through continuous sensitization, full enforcement of laws, and capacity building for both state and non-state actors to effectively address such issues.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.comÂ
