Lawyer expresses concern about domestic violence

Madam Eudora Oppong, a legal practitioner in Kumasi, expressed worry that domestic violence remained a major human rights issue in the country.

She called for concerted efforts to stop the practice since it was affecting the socio-economic development of the country.

Madam Oppong was speaking at the celebration of the Ashanti Regional 2009 International Women's Day, at Mamponteng in Kwabre District on Thursday.

The event, which was on the theme “Women and Men united to end violence against women and girls, attracted female teachers, prisons officers, hairdressers, students and Church members and other stakeholders.

Madam Oppong said violence which could be physical, psychological, economic, sexual, made some women subservient to men and prevented them from fully developing.

Madam Oppong called on security agencies to strictly enforce laws on domestic violence.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. George Appiah-Sakyi, Ashanti Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (D0VVSU) in Kumasi, asked traditional rulers to ensure the abolition of obsolete cultural practices such as trokosi, female genital mutilation, widowhood rights against women.

He urged victims of domestic violence to report to the police and not to consider the offence a family affair.

ASP Appiah-Sakyi advised young women to ensure that they were legally married before going to stay with their partners, so that the law could adequately deal with men who abuse women.

Mrs. Augustina Gyamfi, Acting Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and children's Affairs, said domestic responsibilities including child care, were challenges to women and urged men to support women instead of abusing them.

GNA