NATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP ON MITIGATING & ADDRESSING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE & SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (GDC), is organizing a four-day National Training Workshop on Mitigating and Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Harassment from Monday, 15th to Thursday, 18th September 2025, in Accra.

The workshop brings together participants from the judicial, health, and social sectors with the objective of strengthening their knowledge, skills, and coordination in preventing and responding to GBV and sexual harassment.

It also seeks to promote gender equality, equity, and the meaningful participation of vulnerable groups in the sustainable development of the country.

In a statement delivered at the opening, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, noted that domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of its victims, particularly women, girls, and vulnerable groups. She emphasized that such acts not only hinder Ghana’s developmental agenda but also undermine progress across all ECOWAS member states.

She stressed that the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, through the MoGCSP, has prioritized gender equality and women’s empowerment by mainstreaming gender concerns into the socio-economic development agenda of the country.

Highlighting legislation and policies to eliminate all forms of SGBV and sexual harassment against women, girls, men, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, the Minister cited Ghana’s legal framework, including the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), the Revised National Gender Policy, and the Social Protection Act, 2025. “These measures will help protect and promote the rights of the vulnerable,” she added.

Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey encouraged participants to network effectively, exchange ideas, and share lessons that can advance the welfare and interests of women and girls while working towards gender parity and a brighter future.

Addressing the gathering, the Director of the ECOWAS National Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madam Laila Heward-Mills, commended the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women, men, girls, and vulnerable persons. She underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to tackling SGBV, noting that capacity-building initiatives are critical to eliminating violence and advancing gender equality across Ghana.

On her part, the Director of the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC), Madam Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, urged stakeholders not to turn a blind eye to GBV and sexual harassment, stressing that the health and well-being of communities are at stake. She therefore called on all to stand in solidarity with victims, denounce abuse, and take action to create a more just and egalitarian society. “Every action counts within the medical, judicial, and social protection chains,” she noted.

Madam Sandra Oulaté Fattoh further reaffirmed ECOWAS’ support for Ghana in its efforts to build a more inclusive, just, and violence-free society.

The workshop forms part of ECOWAS’ broader commitment to supporting member states in combating GBV and fostering safe, inclusive societies.

Source: MoGCSP