It was an exciting scene at the Agbobloshie yam market in Accra on 3rd December 2019 where Kayayei gathered to do a flash mob dance performance as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign in Ghana. The flash mob was organized by UNFPA in collaboration with Purim Africa Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) with the aim of creating awareness on sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Ms. Lucy Adjei Marfo, a Representative from Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, DOVVSU educated the men and women in the market on the various forms of violence, citing rape, defilement, physical and emotional abuse as examples. She cautioned the men to desist from abusing women and girls because the law will not spare them if caught. Speaking against early  and forced marriages, she advised the girls to report such cases to the police.“ Report all cases of violence to the police. It is criminal, don’t stay at home and let your families handle it.'' she added.

Ms. Selina Owusu Gender Programme Analyst at UNFPA, said at UNFPA everyone counts, that’s why we are leveraging on these 16 days of activism to raise awareness on violence against women and girls in this market place where many women and girls experience several forms of sexual violence.

She encouraged all present at the outreach to report cases of abuse asking them to break the silence and speak out if they or any relation is being abused. “This would help to create the safe spaces that are crucial for the healing of survivors and contribute to dismantling the rape culture in the communities.”, she concluded.

The market was electrified as the flash mob by the kayayei attracted huge numbers of market women, passers-by, vendors and shoppers. The young Kayayei who were trained peer educators engaged the public on the effects of SGBV/HP.

As a people we are reminded of the urgent engagement and re-commitment needed  to address violence against women and girls within this period.