COMMUNITY / SCHOOL SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT 732 (2007)

The Domestic Violence Secretariat under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection together with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) organised a community / school sensitization on the Domestic Violence Act 732 (2007) in Dodowa, Shai Osudoku District on Thursday 5th December, 2019. 

The main purpose of the workshop was to intensify awareness and mobilize support from the general public on the Domestic Violence Act 732 (2007) to help end sexual and gender-based violence.

Madam Mallonin Asibi the Director for Domestic Violence Secretariat in her interaction with the community members mentioned that the purpose for which her outfit was embarking on the exercise is to ensure that people are given enough information on the Domestic Violence Act so they do not fall victim to the law out of ignorance.

She said the Domestic Violence Secretariat does a lot of sensitization programmes in various places like the mosques, churches, schools and so forth, mostly on issues of Domestic Violence together with DOVVSU and other bodies.

She said their visit to the Municipality was timely since it will intensify awareness most especially during the period when there is an ongoing International campaign of the 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence which started from 25th of November, 2019 and will end on the 10th of December, 2019.

Madam Mallonin Asibi, the Director for the Domestic Violence Secretariat enlightened participants on the mandate of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the various activities carried out by the ministry to protect the vulnerable, aged in society amongst others.

Superintendent Sophia Eva Anim from Domestic and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Madina also gave several scenarios which can lead to domestic violence. She spoke about some causes of abuse such as sexual abuse and advised pupils to confide in a trusted elderly person for advice and added that if anyone touches a sensitive part of anyone without their consent it amounts to sexual abuse.

She spoke strongly about female genital mutilation and pleaded that such nefarious acts should be stopped since it affects the feelings of a lady psychologically and emotionally when they finally get married.

She pleaded that men who usually bath their female daughters at certain ages is a bit disturbing since it can arouse some feelings of the child and when she grows up she would see the act to be normal which can intend affect her.

She also advised against giving of gifts to children without the consent of their parents, she said when they get used to it they are unable to refuse sex offers from such persons who may disguise themselves as genuine people with good intentions.

The Greater Accra Regional Director for the Department of Gender, Madam Matilda Bamfro also spoke strongly against irresponsible parents who do not caution their wards whenever they openly display signs of awkward behaviours which can later affect them in life. She said they should always be instrumental in the upbringing of their wards since they will intend benefit in the long run.

According to the speech read on behalf of the Coordinating Director for Shai Osudoku District, Mr. Paul Mark Anim there are lots of issues on gender based violence across the world and there is the need to intensify the public education on gender based issues in order to end gender based violence.

Present at the occasion were some opinion leaders, youth groups, faith based men and women groups, pupils from basic schools in the district amongst others. 

The toll free number for reporting cases of domestic violence was made known to the community members to contact whenever they encounter such acts and they will be referred to the appropriate quarters within the Ministry for assistance.

Source: MoGCSP