Beneficiaries of the Power to Choose (P2C) project in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region have submitted a petition to the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, urging action to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Municipality.
The petition, presented by Mr. Maurice Haruna, the P2C Project Officer of PARDA group, highlighted the harmful impact of various forms of GBV on survivors' holistic development, emphasizing the need for urgent measures.
The presentation followed a public awareness float on Walewale's streets, organized by Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA) with funding support from Oxfam Canada.
The event included a video screening of a real-life story of a GBV survivor, aiming to educate the community about the detrimental effects of GBV. These activities were part of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV, centered on the theme “Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.”
The petition disclosed that, between January 2022 and November 2023, around 15 cases of rape, defilement, and gender abuse were reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), with only three cases reaching the court.
The petition called for robust public education on GBV effects, the strengthening of state institutions handling GBV, and the provision of free medical services and safe shelters for survivors.
Mr. Issahaku Aremiyaw Somo Lucky Basintale, the West Mamprusi Municipal Chief Executive, received the petition and assured the group that their demands would be addressed.
He commended PARDA and OXFAM for their awareness efforts, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming issue of GBV in the municipality.
Madam Rhoda R. Zakari, the West Mamprusi Municipal Girl Education Officer, acknowledged the severity of GBV in the municipality and highlighted the role of PARDA and OXFAM activities in mitigating its impact.
She urged traditional leaders and influential individuals to refrain from interfering in GBV cases, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable as a deterrent. Madam Zakari encouraged girls to speak out against abuse and seek justice.