Residents of Keta and the nearby settlements have been invited to participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission.
A global campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls is being launched at the event under the topic “UNITE Activism to end violence against women and girls.” The event is being held in collaboration with the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Organization (USAID).
Mr Kimberly Rosen, the USAID Ghana Mission Director, in an address at the event, said violence against women and girls is a global pandemic affecting one in three women in their lifetime and that, here in Ghana, 32 per cent of Ghanaian women have faced at least one form of domestic violence that “is too much.”
He said the U.S government through the USAID, funded a recent assessment, which found out that, sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment were common in Ghana’s fishing sector, which he said represented a major threat to women’s and girls’ welfare.
Mr Rosen also urged traditional authorities, community elders, and others to help eradicate all forms of violence, while the USAID through the “Feed the Future” Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA), would also continue to support the effort.
According to the project’s organizers, it was designed to assist fishing communities like Keta and its surrounding areas in developing and implementing community action plans to prevent violence against women and girls as well as creating support networks for victims with a focus on gender inequality and abuse in fisheries.
According to Mrs. Regina Solomon, President of the National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA), violence against women and girls is spreading quickly, necessitating immediate cooperation from the government and leaders of all social groups in order to eradicate it.
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Emmanuel Gemegah, who was present for the event, expressed enthusiasm for the idea and requested assistance in putting an end to the problem.
He pleaded with the fishermen to abstain from child abuse and child labor.
Prior to the durbar, the team conducted activities with locals, fishermen, and others on a float around Keta’s main streets before coming together at Kedzikope for the event’s culmination.
The vibrant event, which featured cultural performances by cultural troupes, was attended by clergy, security, fishing organizations, traditional leaders, and others.
Every year, between November 25 and December 10, individuals from all over the world take part in the campaign to end the threat.
Source: GNA
