By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Domestic Violence Secretariat, under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has held a national stakeholders’ meeting to engage key actors on coordinated strategies for addressing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (D/SGBV) in Ghana.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other relevant institutions whose mandates are central to preventing violence, protecting survivors and strengthening national response mechanisms.
Organisers said the engagement forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to promote multi-sectoral collaboration and enhance collective action in addressing D/SGBV.
Addressing participants, the Head of the Domestic Violence Secretariat, Madam Malonin Asibi, emphasised the importance of adopting a survivor-centred approach in all interventions, stressing the need to prioritise the safety, dignity and rights of survivors.
Presentations were delivered by the Domestic Violence Secretariat, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), focusing on institutional mandates, ongoing interventions, key achievements, and challenges in preventing and responding to D/SGBV.
Additional presentations from Regional Directors of Gender, representatives of state agencies, and civil society organisations (CSOs) highlighted ongoing interventions at the regional and community levels.
While some institutions reported steady progress in implementation, others cited funding constraints and limited human resources as challenges affecting service delivery.
During plenary discussions, participants reflected on the issues raised and emphasised the need for strengthened coordination, improved information sharing, and sustained collaboration to advance survivor-centred, responsive and effective interventions to address D/SGBV in Ghana.
