U/E Director of Department of Women expresses concern about domestic violence

The Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ms Mercy Atule, on Tuesday expressed concern that about 90 per cent of domestic violence related cases in the region were caused by men.

She said that there were a few cases in which women harassed their husbands.

Ms Atule was speaking to journalists after a route match by women's groups and school children in the Bolgatanga Municipality, as part of activities marking this year's International Women's Day in the region.

She said domestic violence in the region was alarming and appealed to men to treat their wives and children with care and love.

Ms. Atule reminded the public that because domestic violence was against fundamental human rights Parliament passed the Domestic Violence Bill in 2007.

She appealed to victims of domestic violence to report to the appropriate quarters, especially the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service for the appropriate action.

Ms. Atule appealed to the public to assist the law enforcement agencies in the fight against domestic violence.

She said that the Regional Directorate of the Department, sensitized women's groups in the region on domestic violence

and women's empowerment and development, with support from non-governmental organizations.

Women and school children who undertook the two-hour march in the Municipality, carried placards some of which read "Let's Fight Domestic Violence Against Women Together", "Domestic Violence is Violence Against Human Rights", "Raise the Alarm on Domestic Violence", "Blow the Whistle on Domestic Violence", "Promote Human Rights and Stop the Violence", "Women and Children Are the Bedrock of Society - Don't Abuse them", among others.

GNA.