Dakoa Newman, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP), on Monday, November 25, 2024, launched the 2024 ’16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence’ initiative.
As part of the commemoration of the initiative, staff of the ministry and its partners went through the streets of the nation’s capital, Accra, advocating against sexual and gender-based violence.
The walk was organised by the ministry with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Speaking at the launch of the ’16 Days of Activism’, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, said that the initiative would play a key role in eradicating violence of all forms against children, women, and marginalised groups in Ghana.
She pointed out that even though the country is making significant strides in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, there is still more work to be done.
She said that the theme for the 2024 ’16 Days of Activism,’ “30 Years After The Beijing Declaration and Platform For Action: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Ghana,” recognises the fact that there is still work to be done.
“It is a call to action for governments, decision-makers, and all of us to reflect on the commitments made at the 1995 Beijing Conference. It urges us to assess our progress in advancing gender equality and preventing all forms of violence against women and girls in Ghana while recognising the work that still lies ahead.
“Despite the existence of legal frameworks, international conventions, and treaties, violence against women and girls remains a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Ghana. The reports of women being killed in their matrimonial homes or in public spaces are troubling and entirely unacceptable,” the minister said.
She added, “These incidents demand our collective and urgent action to fight this menace. Gender-based violence, including domestic violence, not only violates the fundamental human rights of survivors but also weakens the nation’s developmental goals. The harmful effects on the health, psychological, and emotional well-being of battered women and abused children compromise and undermine our society’s development.”
Dakoa Newman, who is also the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South, said that as part of the 2024 ’16 Days of Activism’, the ministry will organise three community sensitisation activities in the Central, Eastern, and Greater Accra Regions and will also participate in UNFPA-led activities.
She commended all the partners of the ministry, including the UNFPA and UNICEF, for their support.
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