Editorial
Intimate partner violence against women must stop
All types of violence against women (VAW) have been prevalent for decades, but the rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is frightening and is leaving women maimed and dead.
The Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) upcoming 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) Report, indicate that two out of every five women between the ages of 15 and 49 had experienced intimate partner abuse.
According to the Service, 35.2 percent of these women had at least once suffered emotional abuse, 22.7 percent experienced physical violence, and 11.2 percent experienced sexual violence.
This is a serious problem that ranks among the most pervasive breaches of human rights. It would be best to stop this IPV against women now to protect their lives.
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for 2023, with “Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls” as the theme, the Spectator hopes that conversations will focus on developing solutions for the pressing need to stop IPV.
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV takes place from November 25 to Human Rights Day on December 10.
In fact, in light of these concerning figures, advocates for gender equality, counsellors, private institutions, religious institutions and the government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), among others should all push for measures to stop this threat.
The Spectator is of the view that because women are treated differently in some societies as they are seen as men’s property, it is necessary to re-examine social standards and destroy the systems that support gender inequity.
In times of abuse, some victims have nowhere to turn, so it is important to provide shelters for survivors and offer counselling services to lessen their difficulties.
The government needs to step up efforts to protect women from IPV by making sure that survivors have access to fair and impartial judicial proceedings.
Any type of violence should be denounced, and it is wise for faith-based organisations to provide post-marital counselling for couples to learn how to strengthen their marriages for peaceful co-existence, following pre-marital counselling.
It is time to step up efforts through education, awareness, and support services to promote women’s empowerment and dispel the harmful myths that encourage violence.
Editorial
Kudos to Ho Teaching Hospital staff, but …
Dear Editor,
If there is any group of professionals that get bad-mouthed the most, then you are referring to nurses and medical doctors assigned to public hospitals across the country.
For this particular letter, I want to sing the praises of this same group of professionals that work at the Ho Teaching Hospital, famously known as Trafalgar.
Despite the work load and the mass casualties received at the emergency ward of the hospital, the welcoming nature of the nurses and the professional touch by the doctors can’t be ignored. My personal experience has got me travelling from my base in Accra to seek medical services from these professionals.
Special mention has to be made of the likes of Precious of the Pharmacy Department, Dr Brandon Banor (a maxillofacial resident) of the Dental unit, male nurse Justice assigned to the female surgical ward. Words cannot really do justice to their affable, professional caring nature. A simple thank you is all that I can say.
In the same vein, I can’t but call out the bad attitude of the auxiliary staff and contractors of the hospital.
Chief among them is some of the contracted bank staff that handle the payment section of the hospital and the patient registration section (those that check the status of the patient as to whether they are fee paying patients or NHIS sponsored).
The attitude at times leaves a bad taste in the mouth. One such occurrence was a night staff of the registration section who had her legs on the office table whilst talking to patients.
The CEO of the hospital needs to shine his torch light on this support sections before they erode the awesome performance of the direct medical staff of the hospital.
Thank you for the space.
Kwesi Manu
Accra
Editorial
Develop policies to address disability concerns
Dear Editor,
AT the beginning of the year, when I went to the bank to deposit money into my uncle’s account, I observed a very sad situation where a man in a wheelchair struggled to navigate his way around the facility.
This is because the structure is disability unfriendly.
As I stood and watched how the man struggled to move his wheelchair, I felt sad and wondered if this is how the life of a disabled person should be. It becomes worse if there is no one to offer help.
In Ghana, People With Disabilities (PWDs) are often treated differently and are often subjected to all forms of discrimination.
Most of these people find themselves in such a situation as a result of unfortunate happenings such as accidents and injuries.
It is, therefore, not appropriate for anyone to discriminate against them. Discrimination against such persons take many forms, including how buildings are constructed.
Most of the public structures are not disability friendly and impede their movement.
As a country, we should consider the PWDs in designing our structures. I also think that there should be a national policy that seeks to address this issue.
I have a strong conviction that when such a policy is developed by the government, people with disabilities would feel appreciated and also promote social inclusivity.
Ray,
Kasoa
