The Australian High
Commission in Ghana has engaged key advocacy groups at a forum to dialogue on
the importance of ending gender-based violence.
Participants include
members of the Ghana-Australian Alumni Association and the Women in Mining
Ghana, as well as some key speakers from the Human Rights Advocacy Centre,
ActionAid Ghana and the World Vision.
The forum was part of activities to commemorate the International Women's Day -- March 8, to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women.
It was also to share knowledge and strategies as to how both countries have handled the issue of gender-based violence and come out with further strategies and solutions for stronger outreach.
Mr. Timothy Millikan, Acting High Commissioner, said the occasion presents the best opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the past year, and recommit to addressing persistent barriers to the realisation of full gender equality and women's empowerment.
He said violence against women is a major obstacle to achieving development outcomes, including gender equality, economic empowerment and a peaceful society.
He said the Australian government has therefore set as a priority the elimination of violence against women, and it is committed to supporting and partnering with other countries in this area.
He said government through its foreign policy and aid programmes seeks to ensure that women and girls are able to live free from violence, and have access to support services and justice among others.
To this end, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Gender "Equality and Women's Empowerment Strategy", which was launched in February this year, will serve as a guide to its government foreign policy, economic diplomacy and aid for trade, he said.
The strategy, he said, covers three priority areas -- which involve enhancing women's voice in decision-making, leadership and peace-making; promoting women's economic empowerment; and ending violence against women.
Mr. Millikan commended Ghana for initiating a similar event to launch its National Gender Policy and active advocacy to empower vulnerable groups.
He said while Australia has committed to allocate US$50million for the Gender Equality Fund in 2015-2016 as part of its aid budget for the period, to accelerate support for gender equality in its development programme, it is interested in seeing initiatives being carried out in Ghana by its civil society.
There was a panel discussion on the situation in Ghana: the level of advocacy and challenges, collaborations and strategies, as well as solutions for stronger outreach.
The key speakers included Ms. Margaret Brew, Advocacy Manager, ActionAid Ghana; Mr. Gregory Dery, Child Protection and Advocacy Coordinator, World Vision Ghana; Ms. Wendy Abbey, Technical Advisor, and Mr. George Owoo, Acting Executive Director -- both from the Human Rights Advocacy Centre.
They discussed how crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assaults, child molestation and other atrocities against women are being addressed by the establishment of various institutions; including the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service; legislations such as Domestic Violence bill, as well as policies to punish perpetrators of such crimes.
They also outlined the various strategies such as referral systems for victims, health care, expanded education programmes -- especially in rural areas -- school outreach, and shelter facilities for those facing danger from their oppressors.
The panelists expressed the view that even though the problem cannot be totally eliminated from any human society, it can be reduced to the barest minimum with strengthened inter-sectoral collaboration.
The forum was part of activities to commemorate the International Women's Day -- March 8, to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women.
It was also to share knowledge and strategies as to how both countries have handled the issue of gender-based violence and come out with further strategies and solutions for stronger outreach.
Mr. Timothy Millikan, Acting High Commissioner, said the occasion presents the best opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the past year, and recommit to addressing persistent barriers to the realisation of full gender equality and women's empowerment.
He said violence against women is a major obstacle to achieving development outcomes, including gender equality, economic empowerment and a peaceful society.
He said the Australian government has therefore set as a priority the elimination of violence against women, and it is committed to supporting and partnering with other countries in this area.
He said government through its foreign policy and aid programmes seeks to ensure that women and girls are able to live free from violence, and have access to support services and justice among others.
To this end, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Gender "Equality and Women's Empowerment Strategy", which was launched in February this year, will serve as a guide to its government foreign policy, economic diplomacy and aid for trade, he said.
The strategy, he said, covers three priority areas -- which involve enhancing women's voice in decision-making, leadership and peace-making; promoting women's economic empowerment; and ending violence against women.
Mr. Millikan commended Ghana for initiating a similar event to launch its National Gender Policy and active advocacy to empower vulnerable groups.
He said while Australia has committed to allocate US$50million for the Gender Equality Fund in 2015-2016 as part of its aid budget for the period, to accelerate support for gender equality in its development programme, it is interested in seeing initiatives being carried out in Ghana by its civil society.
There was a panel discussion on the situation in Ghana: the level of advocacy and challenges, collaborations and strategies, as well as solutions for stronger outreach.
The key speakers included Ms. Margaret Brew, Advocacy Manager, ActionAid Ghana; Mr. Gregory Dery, Child Protection and Advocacy Coordinator, World Vision Ghana; Ms. Wendy Abbey, Technical Advisor, and Mr. George Owoo, Acting Executive Director -- both from the Human Rights Advocacy Centre.
They discussed how crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assaults, child molestation and other atrocities against women are being addressed by the establishment of various institutions; including the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service; legislations such as Domestic Violence bill, as well as policies to punish perpetrators of such crimes.
They also outlined the various strategies such as referral systems for victims, health care, expanded education programmes -- especially in rural areas -- school outreach, and shelter facilities for those facing danger from their oppressors.
The panelists expressed the view that even though the problem cannot be totally eliminated from any human society, it can be reduced to the barest minimum with strengthened inter-sectoral collaboration.
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