The Central Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Thywil Eyra Kpe says ending sexual and gender based violence in the Central Region continues to be a challenge.

According to her, though there have been series of efforts through campaigns and other educative fora, the situation still persists.

She said this has given the region a bad name as far as sexual and gender based violence is concerned.

According to her, in 2015 alone, the central region recorded close to 200 cases of sexual and gender based violence, a situation she described as worrying and needed urgent attention.

Mrs. Kpe was speaking to Ultimate News’ Central regional correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour as part of a regional campaign to end gender based violence dubbed “Once a day campaign against sexual and gender based violence”.

Mrs Kpe noted that, since the regional campaign against sexual and gender based violence started, there has been some improvement in reducing the menace stressing that there is more work to be done.

She noted that ending sexual violence, will require the collaborative effort of all citizens.

According to her, when issues of domestic violence are reported, it will be important for all to support the police in their investigations in order to arrive at justifiable conclusions where offenders will be punished.

She explained that issues of domestic violence should not at any point in time be entertained stressing that offenders must be reported to the appropriate quarters for the necessary sanctions to be meted.

According Mrs Kpe, the sensitization series is in line with the UN’s annual celebration of 16 days campaign on sexual and gender based violence.

This initiative by the United Nations is to create awareness on the dangers associated with sexual and gender based violence and to reduce it drastically in the society.