CHRAJ holds training on ending gender-based violence

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) conducted a one-day training session aimed at empowering community leaders, members, and grassroots organizations to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti region. GBV is defined by the United Nations as any harmful act inflicted upon an individual without their consent, resulting from social norms that ascribe unequal power dynamics between males and females.

Ghana enacted the Domestic Violence Act in 2007 to penalize abusive behavior within domestic settings. However, GBV continues to pose a significant human rights and public health issue across the country, impacting both women and men.

During the training, Mercy Larbi, deputy commissioner of CHRAJ, highlighted poverty and neglect as significant factors contributing to abuse. She noted that some parents are unaware of their children's living conditions and prioritize funeral expenses over basic necessities. To prevent children from engaging in risky behavior, Larbi suggested that parents could prepare meals at home instead of resorting to fried rice and mobile data offered by young men.

The workshop also focused on supporting teenage girls who are victims of abuse, including those who have become pregnant. Larbi emphasized that these girls should not be abandoned. Instead, they should be encouraged to return to school or acquire vocational skills, which would help break the cycle of poverty and foster stronger families.

Regarding political participation, the training referenced Ghana's Affirmative Action Act, which seeks to increase women's representation in leadership positions. The Act sets targets of 30% women in leadership by 2026, 35% by 2028, and 50% by 2030. As of now, out of 16 assembly members, only one is a woman, while Parliament has just 41 women out of 276 members. Larbi stressed that this imbalance must be addressed—not by appointing women arbitrarily, but by providing qualified women with genuine opportunities to serve.

The CHRAJ commended the community for their efforts and urged residents to take ownership of the fight against GBV. The organization emphasized that safeguarding children and empowering women are crucial steps towards building a just and inclusive society.