A human rights activist and head of programmes at RISE Ghana, Jaw-haratu Amadu, says one of the challenges hampering the fight against sexual and gender-based violence is the poor handling of reported cases by institutions.
She said it has become clear that victims are not satisfied with how cases they report are handled by some state institutions mandated to protect their rights.
Addressing the media on the sideline at an outreach programme organised by RISE Ghana in Navrongo to educate dressmakers on their mandate on issues of violence against women and girls, Amadu, added that the concerns formed part of the reasons victims are discouraged from coming out when abused.
“One of the challenges we always see women talk about is the fact that they don’t get satisfied when they report cases which includes the delays in addressing these issues. They (victims) are not satisfied because when you report, they (institutions) say go and come. And when they start addressing the issues, the courts also delay these cases with adjournments.”
She added, “This has made some to discourage their people not to report because they feel that when you go to these institutions, they (victims) won’t get satisfied with how their cases will be handled.”
Amadu mentioned that this particular challenge has made a lot of victims of abuse to coil in their predicament and suffer the pains without seeing the need to go for justice.
She, however, advised women and girls not to hesitate to report cases of violence perpetrated against them or others in their communities. She urges women not to keep such abuses to themselves but report them to the appropriate quarters and seek justice.
Amadu said, “we are encouraging them that when you face a challenge one time doesn’t mean that is the end. The institutions are many. When you go to social welfare and there is a challenge, you go to CHRAJ.
“They check on each other. But we at RISE Ghana are non-governmental so when you go to them and you face any challenge, come to us. We will come in to support you.”
She added, “There should be no discrimination on Issues of human rights. Everyone is supposed to enjoy their rights and if you have any challenges, report so that justice is served.”
Rita Wepia Pwalua, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal girl-child officer, on her part attributed the increasing cases of sexual abuse in the area to a lack of parental supervision.
She stated that parents have deeply buried themselves in their economic activities and neglected their responsibilities to monitor and educate their children on issues of sex and adolescence.
She said due to the failure, young girls are being influenced to engage in premarital sex.
Pwalua said that the resultant effect was high teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.
The Municipal girl-child officer explained that even though policies have made it possible for pregnant girls to continue with their education, most of them ended up dropping out of school.
The RISE Ghana outreach programme brought together state institutions including the Ghana Health Service, The Department of Social Welfare, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The others are; the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
Over 100 people participated in the outreach programme.
Some of the participants lauded the programme and appealed for an extension of the education to rural communities.
They said the education would help to reduce acts of violence against women and girls, and to a larger extend encourage women to report cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Senyalah Castro
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