Domestic violence is prevalent in Ghana owing in part to a deep cultural belief that it is socially acceptable for men to discipline their wives physically.
Around one in three women in Ghana are likely to experience domestic violence.
The persistence of domestic violence threatens the achievement of gender equality and empowerment.
She noted that women are mostly the victims in such cases.
Globally, violence against women disproportionately affects low- and lower-middle-income countries and regions. Thirty-seven per cent of women aged 15 to 49 living in countries classified by the Sustainable Development Goals as “least developed” have been subject to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their life. Twenty-two per cent of women living in “least developed countries” have been subjected to intimate partner violence in the past 12 months—substantially higher than the world average of 13 per cent.
The Senior Social Development Officer at the EKMA Social Welfare Department, Madam Sadia Alimatu pointed out that most of the victims of domestic violence are taken aback in reporting abuses because of the fear of stigmatization.
Madam Sadia, nonetheless, laments that financial constraints are limitations to the services they render to the public.
She adds that even though the Assembly aids them it is still inadequate and calls on the media, individuals, and corporate bodies to support education and sensitisation programs in communities.
