The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) in collaboration with ActionAid is to review the subsidiary law of the Domestic Violence (DV) Act 2007 (Act 732) to eliminate all forms of violence from the society.
The review of the law especially portions of the Legislative Instrument such as police medical form before it presented to Parliament for approval is based on advice from the Attorney General Department Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for MGCSP told stakeholders meeting in Accra recently that even though domestic and gender violence are of great concern to the ministry, the mere passage of the laws would not solve the problems.
She was of the view that for violence to be eliminated completely from the society there was a need a further step to be taken in ensuring full implementation of the laws to address and respond to domestic violence issues in Ghana. �In line with the monitoring roles of the domestic Violence Secretary, we have kept watch of proceedings in the gender based violence court in Accra and also keeping taps on media reportage of gender based violence cases,� the Minister said. As a ministry responsible for protecting the vulnerable in the society, she said her outfit was working around the clock to inaugurate a new Domestic Management Board.
Also for the Ghanaian society to be free of domestic violence the ministry had collaborated with organizations such as Ark Foundation, UNICEF, DANIDA ActionAid and UNFPA to carry out specific activities that are geared towards reducing the incidence of gender based violence. Last year alone total of 46 gender based cases were reported in the media in relation to physical assault and sex abuse while the court also received 231 violence cases with 70 per cent of them being defilement and rape cases.
The Policy and Campaign Manager, Queronica Quarley Quartey said gender based violence was pervasive and if allowed to exist with impunity because of gender inequality and lack of political will in addressing the issues, many girls and women will never realize their full potentials to contribute to the development of their community and the nation at large.
�A way forward in addressing inhuman treatment per the laws of the land needs mass education on the Act and the LI, securing shelter for victims, procurement of referral forms and medical services as well as other provisions to support victims in a well-coordinated institutional framework. �Girls and women need to assert themselves, participate in decision making and governance at all levels, enjoy their rights in a violent free environment and their lives in dignity,� she said.
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