Women Lawyers Seek To Draw Attention To Domestic Violence

Accra (GAR), July 15, A day's workshop on domestic violence was held in Accra today to draw attention to the problem. Organised by International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) the workshop is brainstorming on various forms of domestic violence, why they occur and their impact on victims. It is expected to come out with a consensus on the problem and its related issues. It is being attended by 70 participants from ladies associations, professional bodies and non-governmental organisations. In an address, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, African Regional President of FIDA, expressed regret that there are no statistics on domestic violence in Ghana as compared to some developed countries. FIDA, she said, intends to organise research into domestic violence to be able to produce national statistics on it. The FIDA President said Ghana is obliged to undertake some of the action plans of the Beijing conference which include addressing issues of domestic violence, especially those that constitute crime and violation of women's rights. This action is one of such efforts towards the objectives of the Beijing Declaration, she said. Mr. Sam Okudzeto , President of the Ghana Bar Association who chaired the function asked participants to come out with positive ideas that will help address the problem at the national level. He said though there are existing laws to protect victims, there are other remedies that could be adopted to check the occurrence. These, he said, include counselling and placing batterers under a bond. A Handbook on Domestic Violence in Ghana prepared by FIDA was launched as part of the programme. The 22-page booklet provides questions and answers for victims of domestic violence as well as those who deal with such victims. The booklet which is providing the main topics for discussion at the workshop specifically deals with psychological and social background of the problem, the forms it takes, the legal rights and remedies and services available to victims and batterers.