Let Us Stop Domestic Violence Against Women

As we mark International Women's Day, it is right and duly appropriate for the world to give women a standing ovation. Women are the salt in our society; without them, the world will be such a tasteless place.

The role of women in changing the world cannot be overlooked. Women like Yaa Asantewa from Ghana, who led a war against the British, Harriet Thubman who freed many African American slaves in America and the Queen Nanny from Jamaica who led the enslaved Africans to revolt against the British. In the area of education and politics, we have women like Maya Angelo and our own Efua Sunderland, whose impact in our society continues to illuminate our paths for generations. There are many great women who have changed the world by raising great leaders of our time.

As we lit the candle on our women today, the challenges women face are enormous and as we celebrate them, these challenges must be addressed with urgency to give women the peace and strength to play their role in our social development.

Over the years, domestic violence against women has been something that our society has failed to address it with the needed urgency.

According to the statistics available at the Accra Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), as of August 2020, 31.9% of Ghanaian women have faced at least one form of domestic violence being physical, economic, psychological, social, or sexual.

This might not even be the real figures since many domestic violence cases are not reported. The time has come for Government to put up stringent measures to deter the perpetrators of these crimes.

The lack of jobs and access to basic amenities like housing make women vulnerable at the hands of these men.

Government must provide shelter to victims of domestic violence while giving them emotional and psychological support to overcome the trauma.

Education of women will do magic by making them independent and expose them to the structures they need to address or avoid domestic violence. Education should, therefore, be made easily accessible for women empowerment.

Individuals, NGOs, and institutions must sensitize the public on the need to protect our women and not to harm them.

When women are given the needed love and care, they will carry our nation on their shoulders to the promised land.

Happy International Women's Day.

By: Richard Tawiah