Domestic Violence Bill will not seize power from men

Jirapa, Feb 24, GNA - Mr George Hikah Benson, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, has said the passage of the Domestic Violence Bill into a law would not change the leadership positions of men but would rather bring dignity and unity in families.

Mr Benson said this during a one-day workshop on domestic based gender violence at Jirapa.

The workshop, which was organized by National Council on Women and Development (NCWD) and sponsored by UNICEF, attracted about 100 men and women and students from all over the district. He said the government would continue to push the agenda of empowering women to take their rightful positions in society. The Deputy Minister denounced elopement of schoolgirls for marriage in some parts of the region and gave the assurance that everything possible would be done to reverse that tradition. He appealed to community leaders and traditional authorities to expose and sanction perpetrators of such practices that inhibit the progress of girls in the region.

Mr. Justin Dakorah, Jirapa-Lambussie District Chief Executive, said there was the need to empower women socially and economically since they were over the years marginalized in society and appealed to the women groups to lead the crusade against the daily injustice meted out to them.

He said his outfit would collaborate with all the relevant groups to enhance the promotion of activities on women and children in the district.