The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) through the Domestic Violence Secretariat (DVS) with support from the United Nations Ghana, European Union, Oxfam and other partners organized a media launch on Friday, 25th November 2022 to mark this year’s ’16 days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence’ with a pledge to challenge every form of violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and runs until 10th December (Human Rights Day). It is an international campaign to fight violence against women and girls.

This year’s campaign is themed “UNITE! Activism to end Violence against Women and Girls". 

The theme aims to bring together civil society and women’s rights organizations, as well as the UN system, the Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence, and government partners, to advocate for inclusive, comprehensive, and long-term strategies, programs, and resources to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

Delivering the keynote address Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection,  Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the Member of Parliament for Walewale and Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection said violence against women and girls continues to be a barrier to gender equality in most countries around the world including Ghana, despite the numerous ongoing programmes and interventions.

She said the adverse consequences of violence on battered women and girls in relation to their health, and psychological and emotional well-being compromise and undermined their development.