The Gender Officer for the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization (ADDRO), Rebecca L. Seidu, has expressed deep concern about how certain religious beliefs and interpretations continue to fuel gender-based violence (GBV) in many Ghanaian communities.
She said some teachings place the entire responsibility of sustaining marriages on women, even in abusive situations, making many victims remain silent while suffering.
Madam Seidu made the remarks during a special radio discussion on A1 Radio as part of ADDRO’s activities to commemorate the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The programme was organised by ADDRO in partnership with Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) under its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) initiative.
According to her, some faith leaders consistently preach submission to women while overlooking the equal role men must play. She noted that such one-sided teachings create fear and guilt, discouraging women from reporting abuse.
“Religious leaders sometimes preach in ways that burden only the woman. They tell her that if the marriage fails, she is the one at fault. These messages silence victims who are suffering serious abuse,” she said. “Gender-based violence is not abstract; it is happening in our homes, churches, and communities. It affects both rich and poor.”
The Upper East Regional Director for the Department of Gender, James Twene, also highlighted how political, social, and economic power imbalances fuel abuse and silence victims. He explained that many victims, especially women, are unable to report because perpetrators wield authority or control over family finances.
“People are dying in silence because the abuser has economic or political power. Victims think, ‘If I report, who will take care of my children? Who will provide for me?’ So they keep quiet and continue suffering,” he stated.
Mr. Twene added that gender-based violence cuts across all social classes and spaces, occurring in homes, workplaces, and even places of worship.
He described forms of GBV, including physical, sexual, psychological, spiritual, and economic violence, stressing that spiritual manipulation is becoming more common, with some perpetrators hiding behind religious authority to silence victims.
A Gender Specialist with the Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana, Abigail Adumolga, noted that men also experience abuse but are unwilling to report due to societal stigma and ridicule. “Some men are being abused at home, but they won’t report because they think they will be laughed at. Society expects men to be strong, so they keep quiet,” she said.
She stressed the need for community-wide empowerment and education, especially for girls, noting that many young people do not even recognise abuse when it happens.
Madam Adumolga emphasised the need to empower girls and women socially and economically so they can stand up for themselves. She also urged survivors to use available reporting channels, including DOVVSU, Social Welfare, and various human rights NGOs. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is marked globally from 25th November to 10th December each year to intensify advocacy and push for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga
