ActionAid Ghana (AAG) has since 2009 spent GHC 58, 800.00 in various programmes, towards the reduction of violence against women and women's economic empowerment.
The Programme Manager of AAG in charge of the Upper East Region, Mr. Michael Lumor, disclosed this on Wednesday during the celebration of 16 Days of Activism, held in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region.
The 16-Day Activism organized and sponsored by AAG, provides a platform for activists to work together to promote gender equity, and demand accountability from government and other stakeholders.
The Programme Manager indicated that AAG was more committed to fighting the cause of women, to ensure a world without poverty in which everybody has the right to live with dignity.
He said it was against this background that his outfit had equipped the offices of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at Zebilla, the Bawku West District capital, with office equipment such as computer with printer, office furniture and benches to facilitate work of DOVVSU
ActionAid Ghana, he said, also undertook sensitization programmes on legal awareness for 200 women in the Region, supported the training of 50 DOVVSU Desk Officers across the Region, raised awareness of over 600 people on violence against women and HIV/AIDS, supported radio programmes to raise awareness on women's rights and established four community based anti-violence teams.
Mr. Lumor indicated that under the economic empowerment of women and the development of their leadership potentials, AAG had facilitated the acquisition of three girding mills and shea butter processors in Sakote, Duusi and Bansi in the Talensi-Nabdam District as part of efforts to get women out of poverty.
"We have further supported 300 women with small ruminant in selected communities and facilitated 100 women in leadership and confidence building skills."
He noted that they decided to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism, focusing on women's access to justice and legal aid services, because according to him available statistics from DOVVSU in 2007 indicated that there were 217 cases of violence against women.
He said in 2008 there were about 200 cases, whilst 156 cases were reported by the beginning of the third quarter of 2009.
Mr. Lumor stressed the need for multi-sectoral approach to fighting against the violation against women and appealed to all stakeholders including traditional authorities, Federation of International Women Lawyers, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative of Justice (CHRAJ), the Media, among others to collaborate to deal with the problem.
The Acting Regional Director of CHRAJ, Mr. Kenneth Adabayeri urged victims of Domestic violence to use the various agencies dealing with domestic violence issues including DOVVSU, FIDA, Courts, Legal Aid Board, and CHRAJ among others to solve their problems.
He mentioned the lack of information, fear, ingrained culture and the claim by victims of violence that they do not have money to access justice, and said most of the agencies do not charge for rendering services to complainants.
He stated the need to embark on field work into communities to educate them on their rights and how to access justice without fear.
The Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs. Lucy Awuni said the Government had instituted a number of interventions including the promulgation of the Intestate Succession Law, adoption for Affirmative Action, inclusion of specified percentage of women appointees in the district assemblies, the establishment of DOVVSU and the strengthening of CHRAJ among others.
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