Traditional rulers educated on Domestic Violence Act
Traditional rulers in the Upper East Region, have been educated on the Domestic Violence Act at a day’s workshop in Bolgatanga.
The workshop, which was also attended by Queen mothers, Assembly Members, Commission on Human Right and Administrative of Justice (CHRAJ), Representative of the Local Governance Network and the security agencies was aimed at sensitising them and other stakeholders on the provision of the Domestic Violence Act.
The programme, organised by the Community Development and Advocacy Centre (CODAC) was also to solicit the support of the stakeholders to fight violence against women and girls and educate them on the procedures for filing complaints on such acts to the appropriate authorities.
The Board Chairman of CODAC, Mr Norbert Akolibila, said body through the support of Ibis Ghana, worked to ensure considerable level of gender inclusiveness in the region that paved the way to the inclusion of Queen mothers in the traditional councils.
He said despite that, gender based violence is still a big problem and urged the traditional rulers to play a key role in addressing the phenomenon in their communities.
“The existence of the domestic violence act on paper is not just enough. There is the need for joint efforts by all stakeholders to help fight the menace. CODAC will also continue to hold radio discussions on violence against women and girls,” Mr Akolbila said.
Mr Edward Alagpulinsa, Chief Investigator of CHRAJ, said women are not the only victims of domestic violence since some men also suffer violence from women.
He said such violence usually lead to broken homes, marginalisation of women, cyclical effects and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases as well as put pressure on the limited health facilities.
He mentioned lack of pre-marital counselling, alcoholism and substance abuse and lack of awareness about the laws on domestic violence as some of the factors that lead some people to violence against others.
The Paramount Chief of the Bongo, Naba Baba Salifu Alemyaarum, called for periodic sensitisation to change the mindset of the people on domestic violence.
The Regional Coordinator of Domestic Violence and Victims Unit of Ghana Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kwadwo Appiah, took the participants through the legal framework of the Domestic Violence Act.
He appealed to the people not to hesitate to report issues of domestic violence to the unit.
Source: GNA