SGBV survivors need safe spaces – PPAG

The Central Region does not have public shelters for sexual and gender-based violence survivors who would want shelter for safety. 

Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview, an Advocacy Coordinator with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Michael Tagoe, said this was obviously a gap in ensuring that abused survivors were provided safe spaces to recover and reintegrate into society.

He stated that the PPAG had been providing reproductive health services in Ghana for 58 years, with one of its focuses being eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Despite progress in educating communities and schools, he said PPAG still faced a significant challenge, which was the lack of well-resourced safe spaces for SGBV survivors.

"This gap hinders the proper handling of cases, particularly where survivors cohabitate with perpetrators or rely on them financially," he stated.

"A stark illustration of this challenge is a case handled by the PPAG Cape Coast facility. After reporting abuse, a survivor had no choice but to return to the same room she shared with her uncle, the perpetrator," he added.

Support

To address this issue, he said PPAG had secured funding, with support from partners, to assist survivors who have reported abuse.

Since 2024, he said this support covered accommodation, provisions, medical care, and other essential needs.

Mr Tagoe said the PPAG continued to collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Commission on Human Rights and

Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Department of Gender and Social Welfare, to create awareness for better survivor spaces.

He reiterated the PPAG's call for the urgent need for well-resourced state-owned safe spaces to ensure survivors received comprehensive support and protection.

He also called for education on resources and avenues for survivors.