The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has launched the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign at Kaneshie Market in Accra.
The launch, held on Tuesday, November 25, brought together development partners, civil society organisations, transport sector leaders, and members of the public to intensify nationwide advocacy and strengthen efforts to protect women and girls from violence.
This year’s theme, “Unite! End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” focuses on the growing threat of online abuse, including harassment, harmful content, and technology-facilitated exploitation.
In her keynote address, Gender Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey highlighted alarming national statistics, noting that 27.7% of Ghanaian women have experienced at least one form of domestic violence, while 32% of girls aged 15–24 still believe wife-beating is justified.
She emphasised that digital platforms have opened a new frontier for abuse, citing cyberbullying, image-based sexual exploitation, and sextortion as emerging threats requiring urgent action.
Dr. Lartey announced Cabinet’s approval of the revised National Domestic Violence Policy and confirmed progress on a new Domestic Abuse Bill and its accompanying Legislative Instrument.
She also outlined ongoing nationwide initiatives, including the training of over 200 market executives as paralegals and the recruitment of more than 100 volunteers to support survivors.
A key highlight of the launch was a new partnership with the transport sector, dubbed “16 Routes, 16 Stations, 16 Destinations,” which will use public transport networks to spread information on gender-based violence, digital safety, and reproductive health nationwide.
UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Wilfred Ochan reaffirmed the organisation’s support, noting that the campaign will strengthen accountability and safety measures within the transport sector during the 16-day period.
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic torch-passing to mark the official start of activities, while the Ministry urged the public to report cases of abuse through its toll-free hotline: 0800 111 222.
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