The Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization (ADDRO), a non-governmental organization committed to transforming lives and upholding human dignity and justice, has called for collective efforts to address gender-based violence (GBV).
This appeal was made during a community durbar held at the Siniensi Primary School in the Builsa North Municipality of the Upper East Region to launch this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Nabila Tia, the Executive Director of ADDRO, stated that gender-based violence harms not only the victims but also their families and the economies of their countries.
Mr. Nabila identified poverty as one of the root causes of GBV, exacerbating vulnerabilities, particularly among women and girls. Against this backdrop, he called for concerted efforts from the public to prevent or end violence against women and girls in society.
“The fight against gender-based violence is a collective task, and we encourage all, especially duty-bearers in our communities, to play active roles in this. Some actions we can all take include investing in girls’ education, championing women’s economic empowerment, including women and girls in decision-making at all levels, and believing and supporting gender-based survivors.”
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from November 25 to December 10, is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of GBV and advocating for its eradication.
With funding support from Episcopal Relief and Development, USA, through its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) initiatives, ADDRO has joined this global movement to amplify its message and mobilize communities to take action.
The launch durbar brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including traditional leaders, community members, educators, and government agencies.
The Acting Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for Builsa North, Atayaaba Justus Triumph, urged the public to report incidents of abuse to the appropriate authorities.
“People should not take the law into their own hands. In such cases, they should report the matter to CHRAJ. Legal Aid is also available for people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer. Gender-based violence thrives in secrecy, but justice can only be served when cases are reported to the right bodies. We must all play our part to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable,” he stated.
The Queen Mother of Sandema-Awasu-Yeri commended ADDRO for its ongoing efforts to educate communities on GBV and its devastating effects.
“ADDRO’s work is timely and necessary. Sensitizing our communities on the repercussions of gender-based violence and the actions to take when someone is abused is a step in the right direction. We need more of such initiatives to build a safer and more inclusive society,” she said.
The NGO donated books, pens, and sanitary pads to support girls’ menstrual hygiene. Among other planned activities for the remaining days are sensitization sessions in communities, training women in economic activities such as soap making, and an educational program on radio.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Joshua Asaah | Siniensi
