EU committed to combating Gender-based violence — Massimo Mina

THE Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Ghana, Massimo Mina, has reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to implementing projects specifically aimed at combating gender-based violence against women and girls globally.

Speaking at the "Women Speak" event in Accra on Wednesday, he said the EU’s Gender Action Plan III, which commits that "by 2027, at least 85 per cent of all new external actions will have gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as a significant or principal objective."

The event marked this year’s observance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness, inspiring action and renewing the commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

This crucial international campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. The theme for this year’s campaign is: "Beyond Beijing+30: Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Promoting Women's Rights."

Projects

He highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the EU Delegation to Ghana to support the achievement of their goals across various sectors, including education, economic empowerment, social protection and governance, with a primary focus on improving the lives of women and girls.

"One example is the recently concluded ENOUGH! project, with an EU contribution of €5 million, implemented by Oxfam in Ghana, Liberia and Mali, with its project management unit based in Ghana," he explained.

"Another example is a €400,000 project for Women in Fisheries against Violence (WIFVES). This project promotes gender equality by advocating against gender-based discrimination and building the capacities of fisherfolk to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in fishing communities in the Central and Western regions," he added.

In a keynote address, Sheila Minkah-Premo, Convenor of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, said the fear of violence, including harassment, remains a persistent barrier to women's mobility, restricting their access to resources and limiting their ability to engage in basic activities.

She emphasised that violence against women is a critical social mechanism that forces women into a subordinate position compared to men, urging meaningful action to address its root causes.

"The Beijing Platform for Action stresses that these forms of violence must be eradicated in order to achieve gender equality, empower women and ensure their full participation in all aspects of life. Beijing+30 offers an opportunity not only to celebrate the progress made but also to acknowledge the ongoing barriers to creating a world free from violence for women and girls," she said.

"Transforming societal attitudes that condone violence, as well as dismantling systems that perpetuate discrimination, is very vital. This requires continuous education, advocacy, accountability and punitive actions together with the promotion of respect for human rights through drastic enforcement of the laws," she added.