DEFILED VICTIMS IN NR FAIL TO REPORT CASES (PAGE 40)

IN spite of the fact that there has been an increase in defilement cases in the Northern Region, most victims still feel reluctant to report such cases, including rape, to the appropriate authorities for redress.
The victims normally want to avoid the guilt and “shame” usually associated with the experience, coupled with ignorance and pressure from family members.
According to the Northern Regional Co-ordinator of Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Madam Saratu Mahama, the victims also refused to report cases because they were afraid to be ridiculed and become objects of vicious rumour.
“Most girls are blamed for being the cause of the rape—either they are told that their dressing has provoked the attack or they are asked what they wanted within the premises within where the rape occurred,” she further stated.
Statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in the region indicate that defilement cases increased 100 per cent from eight in 2007 to 18 last year in the region. Rape cases, however, reduced from nine in 2007 to eight last year.
This came to light during this year’s celebration of the International Women’s Day that was observed at Bimbilla. It was on the theme: “Women and men united to end violence against women and girls.”
Madam Saratu added that the practice by some families to give out their teenage daughters and wards in marriage to older men without the consent of such children contributed to the high levels of illiteracy in the region.
She further observed that abuse of women’s rights in whichever form it took impeded the progress of women, which eventually affected the family, the community, the region and the nation at large.
“FIDA-Ghana will continue to strengthen productive partnership with NGOs and other stakeholders to increase access to justice of women and girls with the ultimate aim of promoting equitable human development and growth,” the co-ordinator stated.
The Northern Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mr I.P.S. Zakaria, explained that the celebration of the IWD began as struggle against the exploitation of women in a garment factory in the USA in 1908 but had since evolved over the years to include other forms of violence. The UN subsequently declared March 8 every year as the day the IWD should be celebrated.
According to him, the day was used to celebrate the achievements of women without regard to national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political divisions.
“The day is also used to reflect on the past struggles and accomplishments of women and for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women,” Mr Zakaria further elaborated.
The Regional Population Officer, Bomahe-Naa Alhassan Issahaku Amadu, attributed domestic violence in families and communities partly to irresponsibility on the part of some men.
“They live irresponsible lives and use projections and rationalisation to make up for their shortcomings,” he alleged.
Naa Amadu, therefore, called on “men and boys to wake up to the call and contribute to ending gender-based violence”.