The Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) has actively participated in the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana's '16 Shades of Abuse' campaign, aligning with the global '16 Days of Activism' initiative against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The '16 Shades of Abuse' project, uniquely tailored for the Ghanaian context, aims to tackle the pervasive issues of GBV. Featuring a series of 16 impactful photographs, each capturing a distinct facet of GBV, its repercussions, and the urgent need for change, the initiative has garnered attention for its innovative approach.
Dr. Deborah Atobrah, Director of CEGENSA, welcomed the audience to the event and highlighted the significance of both the campaign and the accompanying photo exhibition. She emphasised the potential of the visual narratives to evoke empathy and prompt viewers to confront the harsh realities of GBV.
During his remarks, Prof. Dan Frimpong Ofori, the Provost of the College of Humanities, echoed calls to end violence against women, particularly in intimate partner relationships. He urged leaders in workplaces to refrain from promoting any form of violence and encouraged men to actively support the campaign against gender-based violence by embracing the role of male-feminists.
In his conclusion, he said, “we need to applaud the UNFPA for setting time aside for this and I’m glad that we at CEGENSA and the College have lent our support to it.”
The National Programme Analyst at UNFPA Ghana, Mr. Faisal Bawa, underscored the importance of raising awareness about the reality of GBV, fostering dialogue to showcase transformations and mobilising action to address GBV from a fresh perspective. Mr. Bawa also acknowledged the prevalence of violence against men and boys, emphasising the campaign's inclusivity.
In the symbolic ceremony attended by CEGENSA affiliates, staff, students, and representatives from UNFPA Ghana, Prof. Ofori unveiled the 15th-day picture of the campaign. The photograph, presented in black and white, depicted the sensitive topic of female physical and sexual violence (rape). The image serves as a testament to the pain, struggles and resilience of survivors, urging a collective commitment to ending gender-based violence.
The visual, capturing a powerless woman with tied wrists and mouth, silently demands society's attention to combat and prevent all forms of violence.
A student read out the call to action, urging everyone to raise their voices, speak out and join the fight against the harsh realities of gender-based violence. The collective plea is to break the chains, support survivors and commit to ending GBV, encapsulated by the hashtags #BreakTheSilence and #EndGBV.
