Judiciary Calls for Stronger Action on Gender Violence
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) convened a crucial stakeholder engagement with the Judicial Service on Wednesday, December 10, to address the escalating issue of Gender Based Violence (GBV), particularly concerning violence against women and girls online.
Held at the Court Complex, the event focused on strengthening collaborative efforts to combat GBV under the theme, “Upholding Rights Delivering Justice: The Judiciary’s role in Curbing Gender Based Violence in Ghana.”
Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko, Chairperson of the Judicial Service Gender Equity Committee, delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, underscored the need for a modernized approach to justice. “We have entered a new era of violence, and we must enter a new era of justice,” she stated.
She emphasized the importance of robust partnerships and accountability among state institutions, asserting that eradicating GBV requires a unified front. “GBV cannot be eliminated by any single institution,” Justice Bernasko added.
The chairperson highlighted the pervasive nature of violence affecting women and girls in Ghana. According to her, one in three women experiences physical, emotional, or sexual violence. “One in three women in Ghana has experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence. This is not just a number. It is a neighbour, a church member, a market woman, a student, a professional, a wife, a daughter. Many of us here know someone who has suffered one form of violence.”
Justice Bernasko further noted the evolving landscape of violence, with an increasing shift to online platforms. She explained that this digital violence manifests through the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online threats, cyber stalking, and relentless digital humiliation.
The engagement aims to equip the judiciary with the necessary tools and understanding to effectively address these modern forms of GBV, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and victims receive adequate justice.
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