By Enock Akonnor, enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Residents of Offinso Municipality through the European Union funded SOS GrEEn Project had their version of the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday 19th December 2022.
Chunk of the audience were females; mirroring one of the objectives of the project which seeks to effect change and empower more women.
It was organized by implementer of the SOS GrEEn Project; a partner of UNCDF on the project.
Among the dignitaries who turned up at the event were representative of the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Kingsley Owusu-Appiah, Mrs. Edith Precious Lumorvi- Municipal Director for the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, a delegation from the office of the Municipal Chief Imam, among others.
Specifically, cash for work beneficiaries who under the project have been provided short term jobs turned up massively at the occasion.
They work on climate resilient infrastructures where they are paid. The short-term job is usually within a three-month period. They are trained and equipped by SOS Children’s Villages with Core Life Employable Skills and Orientational Technical Training.
The total number of those engaged for the 1st Phase of the project is 381; males 124, females 257. The 2nd phase has recorded a total of 837; males 221 and females 616.
In his presentation at the event, Nathan Asamoah-Community Development Officer for UNCDF admonished mothers to inculcate in their boy-child traits that will make them repulsive to acts that amount to violence against women.
He underscored that the various forms of abuse suffered by women is partly rooted in the fact the perpetrators in their infancy were not exposed to a parental upbringing that instilled in them tutelage on why it is wrong for man to abuse a woman.
The UNCDF officer cited that most mothers by habit offer much attention to the girls when nurturing them and are more closely related with their daughters than the opposite sex, adding that the foregoing denies boys from gaining moral lessons from their mothers on why they should respect women instead of abusing them.
On the foregoing premise, Nathan Asamoah castigated women as partly the cause of violence they suffer at the hands of men.
In his presentation on the topic “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Livelihood; The Intervention of the GrEEn Project”, he urged mothers and for that matter parents to train their children especially the boy-child in the fear of the Lord and urge them on need to respect the opposite sex.
He also said that victims or witnesses should be bold to report to the department of Social welfare or the appropriate quarters men who commit such acts.
Nathan Asamoah used the occasion to enlighten the audience on the European Union Funded GrEEn Project and how the intervention has provided much benefits to women especially the cash for work beneficiaries.
The Municipal Chief Executive Officer in his address underlined that “most communities’ girls are victims of sexual abuse and they tend not to report such crimes for fear of punishment”.
Barriers faced by women in reporting violence according to him are rooted in cultural belief that domestic and sexual violence is a private matter that should be addressed outside the criminal justice system.
He said the canker can be prevented by strengthening women’s access to basic human rights and resources.
The Municipal Director for Social Welfare and Community Development gave presentation on efforts of government in addressing violence against women and avenues to seek redress when violated.
She made a shocking disclosure in an interview with the media that scarcely do victims or residents report cases related to violence against women at her outfit, indicating that her outfit has received just one report this year.
Vincent Ohene-Ntow- Training Team Leader for SOS GrEEn also gave a presentation on the concept of Gender Based Violence and the various forms of violence against women.
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