Kumasi, Dec 4, GNA - Ms Anima Wilson, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, has appealed to women to bold to report all cases of domestic violence to the appropriate authorities. This, she said, was necessary to ensure the protection of their rights and that of children.

Ms Wilson was speaking at the launch of "16 days of activism against gender based violence", a joint campaign by the Regional Office of the Department of Women and Civil Society Organizations in Kumasi on Thursday. "Commit, act, demand: We can end violence against women", is the theme. The Deputy Regional Minister urged churches and other civil society groups to join in the efforts at reducing the incidence of violence against women and children. She said "women can only win empowerment and equality when they act on their own, with a strong voice to ensure that their views are heard". Ms Wilson gave the assurance that the government through the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs would continue to take measures to check all forms of abuse women go through. Mrs Augustina Gyamfi, Regional Director, Department of Women, said statistics at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service show increasing trend of violence against women and children in the Region.

She would, however, not be drawn on figures and said the Department is collaborating with other stakeholders to change the situation. Nana Ampofo Kyei Barfour II, Chief of Asem in Kumasi, urged the participants to educate the public about the need to treat women and children with respect. The women had earlier gone on a float through the principal streets of Kumasi, carrying placards, some of which read "Sexual abuse is criminal", "Protect the rights of women", "Lets' champion the fight against gender based violence."