Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey has taken to the markets as part of this years’ 16 Days of Activism campaign urging women, men, boys and girls to speak up anytime they are abused.
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey speaking at the event
Speaking at the Launch of 16 Days of Activism 2025 at the Kaneshie Lorry Station on Tuesday, under the theme: “End Digitsl Violence Against All Women and Girls in Ghana”, the Minister underscored the need for gender based violence to be taken seriously given the harm it does to the victims.
She explained that in an era where technology and Innovation drives societies with digital violence gain grounds, it was therefore important to intensify awareness on the subject in order to protect women, men, girls and boys.
“As we launch this campaign, I call on traditional, opinion and religious leaders to allow the law to work on matters of gender based violence.
“I further call on women and girls, men and boys to speak up when they are abused for there is help for each and every one of you”, Hon. Lartey emphasized.
Touching on the theme, the Krowor Member of Parliament said growing menace of online and technology facilitated gender based violence is a worrisome situation which she said must be nipped in the bud.
She added that the online based violence includes cyber bullying, online sexual harassment, sextortion, stalking, image based abuse, blackmailing and the spread of harmful contents amongst others.
The Minister emphasized however that the Ministry, in that regard, has intensified awareness creation through policy progrmes, interventions as well as strengthening collaborations and partnership in their quest to respond appropriately to violence against women and girls as well as men and boys.
Hon. Later revealed that the Ministry has trained over 200 market Executives in 6 in six regions as well as paralegals and 100 professionals made up of medical Psychologists, medical and legal personnel who support some services and referrals.
She added that the Ministry is operationalizing its Shelters in Accra as well as getting 16 regional shelters in line with President Mahama’s agenda of tackling domestic and gender based violence.
“I am also proud to anmounced that the National Domestic Violence policy which was under review has been approved by Cabinet.
Additionally the law is now proposed to be called Domestic Abuse Law”, she revealed.
The Minister expressed optimism that with the Law’s legislative instruments being drafted by the Attorney General’s department, the final draft would be ready before the close of the year.
She later commended the UNFPA for the initiative of involving transport companies in the fight against gender based violence.
“The Transport sector as you know is dominated by men and boys and we believe that men and boys have a great role to play in ending gender based violence. Additionally the GPRTU has played a key role in this year’s campaign”, Hon. Lartey stressed.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
