URBANET, a non-governmental organisation that works to safeguard women’s rights, is partnering with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to educate citizens in five communities in Tamale on the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act.
The objective of this initiative is to get the grassroots informed about the existence of the law and enhance their understanding of the various provisions of the law in order to encourage adherence to the law.
ActionAid Ghana is funding this sensitisation programme as part of efforts to reduce the occurrence of domestic violence in these communities.
This came to light during a community durbar on domestic violence in Wayamba, one of the communities selected to benefit from the sensitisation programme.
The other communities are Yong Dakpemyili, Chanshegu, Gbambaya and Dugshegu.
The Domestic Violence Law (Act 732) was instituted to provide protection for people who share a domestic relationship, particularly children and women, from any form of violence as contained in the law.
Although the law came into force in May 2007, many people are still oblivious of the provisions of this law and this is partly the reason why some people continue to act contrary to the law.
It is the belief of officials of UrbANET that the sensitisation programme would encourage the inhabitants of these communities to shy away from acts that constitute domestic violence in order not to offend the law.
Speaking at the durbar, the Northern Regional Director of CHRAJ, Mr Stephen Azantilow said for domestic violence to occur, there must be a domestic relationship.
A domestic relationship, he explained, is created when people are binded by certain factors, such as marriage, family relations, child birth, courtship adoption or living under one roof.
Mr Azantilow cited some acts that constitute domestic violence, which include forced marriage, rape or defilement, denial of inheritance, neglect of family’s welfare and physical abuse.
Duelling on forced marriage, he explained that the law prohibits parents and guardians from forcing their girl children, particularly minors, into marriage.
He said the choice of a man and the decision to marry a man remained the discretion of the child, but added that parents could negotiate with their children to make choices that they think are right.
“If the man was able to exercise his right of choice to request your daughter’s hand in marriage, why would you prevent your daughter from also exercising her right to say yes or no,” he questioned.
Mr Azantilow made similar presentations on other forms of domestic violence and entreated people who suffered any of such to report to the police or CHRAJ for redress.
He noted that CHRAJ was mandated by the laws that established it to protect the rights of citizens and ensure administrative justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment