Ghana to observe International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women

Ghanaian Human Rights Advocates on Wednesday set out a strategic plan to observe the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women with a press conference scheduled for November 28.

The press conference being organised by the Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) will focus on spousal murders and rival killings , and a release of human rights report: “Deadly Relationships and Toxic Bonds: Spousal Murders and Rival Killings in Ghana.”

A statement issued in Accra by Nana Oye Lithur, HRAC Executive Director and copied to the Ghana News Agency explained that the report would be used to sheds light on the problem of domestic violence.

The press conference would serve as platform to kick start 16 days of activism for women’s rights, and culminate in the Day to Eliminate Violence.

Domestic violence is a significant and ongoing concern in Ghana. Past reports have indicated that as many as one in three women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime.

“Last year alone, DOVSUU (Domestic Violence Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service) reported more than 15,000 cases of domestic violence perpetrated against women and more than 2,000 against men.

“Taking into account the stigma and shame associated with domestic violence in Ghana, and the belief for some that it does not constitute a crime, it is reasonable to assume that the actual figure is much higher.

“At its worst, domestic violence can result in, or take the form of, spousal murder. This is a largely uninvestigated issue in Ghana,” she noted.

Through monitoring of the media, HRAC noticed the high incidence of spousal murder, particularly the cases of the husband or male partner killing his wife or female partner.

HRAC is a not-for-profit, independent, non-partisan, research and advocacy organisation set up to advance and protect human rights in Ghana.

The HRAC’s mission is to ensure the realisation, respect, promotion and protection of the rights of all persons living in Ghana in accordance with Ghanaian law and international standards, and to increase human rights awareness and the adoption of a sustainable human rights culture by public officers in Ghana, thereby enhancing democracy, good governance and accountability.

Source: GNA