Break the Silence: End violence against women, girls

On November 25 every year, the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to raise awareness of the pervasive and insidious issue of violence against women and girls. 

This year's theme: "Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape," highlights the need for collective action to end rape and all forms of violence against women.

Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic, affecting one in three women worldwide. It is a human rights violation, a public health crisis and a major obstacle to achieving gender equality.

From domestic violence and intimate partner violence to sexual harassment, rape and femicide, the forms of violence are diverse and widespread.

In Ghana, for instance, the Ghana Health Service reports that one in five women has experienced physical violence, while one in three has experienced emotional or psychological violence.

The Ghana Police Service also records an average of 30 cases of rape every month.

The consequences of violence against women and girls are devastating. Survivors often suffer from physical injuries, mental health problems and social isolation. They may also experience economic hardship, as violence can limit their ability to work and earn a living.

However, there is hope. In recent years, there has been a growing concern to end violence against women and girls across the world, including Ghana. More women and girls are speaking up and, fortunately, there is strong support at the institutional and the family level to combat this criminal and devilish act.

The #MeToo movement, for example, has helped to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault.

The African Union's Campaign to End Child Marriage and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also prioritise the elimination of violence against women and girls.

So, to help break the silence of violence against women and girls, all Ghanaians must first break the silence surrounding the issue. We must create safe spaces for survivors to share their stories and seek support. We must also hold perpetrators accountable for their actions and ensure that they face justice.

More often than not, societies, especially families, shield perpetrators by not reporting such abuses due to a number of reasons, including taking money from the perpetrators to settle the case and denying the institutions with prosecutorial powers the opportunity to deal with the culprits.

Second, we must address the root causes of violence against women and girls. These include challenging patriarchal norms and stereotypes, promoting gender equality and ensuring that women and girls have access to education, economic opportunities and health care.

Third, we must support organisations and initiatives working to end violence against women and girls.

These include organisations providing shelter such as the Ark Foundation which is a private entity that has been working for over 20 years with no government funding or support and others that provide counselling and legal support for survivors such as FIDA Ghana, as well as initiatives promoting community engagement and education.

Finally, we must recognise that ending violence against women and girls requires a collective effort. It requires the involvement of governments, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and individuals.

We must all work together to create a world where women and girls can live freely from violence and fear.

The Daily Graphic believes that the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is a call to action. It is a reminder that violence against women and girls is a pervasive and insidious issue that requires our collective attention and action.

We, therefore, call on all to help break the silence, challenge the status quo and work together to create a world where women and girls can have a life free from violence and fear.