Provide survivors of domestic violence with support …govt urged

The Executive Director of the Ghana Chapter of the Interna­tional Federation of Women Law­yers (FIDA), Mrs Susan Aryeetey, has called on government to ensure that survivors of domestic violence are provided with essen­tial services as stipulated under the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732).

Speaking at a policy dialogue on domestic violence in Accra on Friday, Mrs Aryeetey stressed that although the Act mandates free medical care, legal aid and psychosocial support for survi­vors, weak implementation has deprived them of these critical services.

She warned that the failure to fully enforce the Act results in attrition of cases, since many sur­vivors are unable to pursue justice due to lack of medical reports and support services.

“There is a law in the Do­mestic Violence Act that talks about survivors having access to free medical care, legal aid and psychosocial support. When this is not implemented, cases collapse at the court,” she stated.

According to her, FIDA-Gha­na is deeply concerned about the welfare of survivors, pointing to the strong link between domestic violence and mental health, psy­chosocial well-being and econom­ic hardship.

She also disclosed that FIDA-Ghana is working with organisations such as ActionAid to sustain advocacy, awareness creation and policy reforms to tackle the menace.

Mrs Aryeetey urged govern­ment to ensure the timely release of funds and collaborate with the private sector to strengthen the fight against domestic and gender-based violence.

“We need to make sure that money is not just allocated but re­leased on time,” she emphasised.

She further appealed to medical doctors to review their fees in order to enable survivors and other marginalised groups to access care.

Mrs Aryeetey also urged government to provide shelters, stressing that without them, survi­vors are forced to remain in toxic environments

 BY CYNTHIA ASAMPANA

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