The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has officially launched the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign at the bustling Kaneshie Market, drawing together development partners, civil society organisations, transport sector leaders, and members of the public in a united call to end violence against women and girls.
This year’s campaign, held under the theme “Unite! End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” shines a spotlight on the growing dangers of online abuse, including cyberbullying, image-based sexual exploitation, and sextortion.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, underscored the persistence of abuse in Ghana. She cited findings from the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey, which revealed that 27.7 percent of Ghanaian women had suffered at least one form of domestic violence, while 32 percent of girls aged 15 to 24 believed wife-beating was justified.
“The digital environment has become a new frontier for abuse, and we must act decisively to protect women and girls from these emerging threats,” Dr. Lartey stressed.
The Minister announced Cabinet’s approval of the revised National Domestic Violence Policy and confirmed progress on a new Domestic Abuse Bill and its accompanying Legislative Instrument. She also highlighted community-level interventions, including the training of over 200 market executives as paralegals and the mobilization of more than 100 professional volunteers to support survivors.
A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of a transport sector partnership dubbed “16 Routes, 16 Stations, 16 Destinations.” The initiative will harness Ghana’s public transport network to spread vital information on gender-based violence, digital safety, and reproductive health to commuters nationwide.
UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment, noting that the initiative would “strengthen accountability and safety measures within the transport sector” throughout the campaign.
The event concluded with a symbolic torch-passing ceremony, marking the start of nationwide advocacy activities aimed at building a safer, more inclusive Ghana for women and girls.
The Ministry urged the public to report cases of abuse through its toll-free hotline: 0800 111 222.
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