UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani speaking at the 16 Days of Activism awards ceremony.

As  part of the activities to commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Sexual & Gender-Based Violence, a maiden awards ceremony was held to acknowledge the efforts of 16 individuals and organizations who continuously help in diverse ways in the fight against Domestic/Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and harmful cultural practices in Ghana. It was also to encourage traditional leaders, individuals, developing partners and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to continuously work to eliminate all forms of Gender-Based Violence.

Speaking at the ceremony, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani stated that women and girls in Ghana are impacted by social and gender norms that increase their disadvantages and vulnerability. ‘Compared to boys and men, more than one in three (38%) adolescent girls aged 15 – 19 years experience sexual violence in their lifetime. The role that individuals play to combat this is vital and we must all speak with one voice to end all forms of violence against women and girls’, he added.

To acknowledge trailblazers in the fight against Gender Based Violence in Society and Ghana as a whole, UNFPA Ghana supported the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to hold the maiden Gender-Based Violence Changemakers Awards Ceremony at the Best Western Premier Hotel, Accra under the theme: “UNITE! Activism to End violence against Women and Girls.”

Mr. Abani reaffirmed the commitment of the UN to keep working with partners to end violence against women and girls in Ghana. He commended the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection, UNFPA and other stakeholders for their role in protecting women and girls against SGBV.

The individuals and organizations across the 16 regions of Ghana awarded received a plaque and a mini-bar fridge.  They expressed their appreciation to UNFPA and pledged to continue the fight against SGBV.