Savana Signatures develops gender-based violence prevention & response guidelines
Savana Signatures with support from UNESCO Ghana held a two-day consultative workshop to deliberate and develop school and community-based Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response guidelines for communities and schools in the South and Central Tongu districts in the Volta Region of Ghana. The workshop, which was held in Sogakope, is in line with the organization’s commitment to reduce the incident of gender-based violence (GBV), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancies in project communities.
As part of the project strategies, teachers, PTA and community volunteers and leaders will be trained to introduce the guidelines to adolescent girls and boys in and out of school as well as community members.
Also, a GBV committee will be set both in schools and communities to manage and support victims of violence to get justice from appropriate authorities.
During a sensitization of the GBV prevention and response guideline, Project Manager Elikem Agbenyo mentioned that the high rate of teenage pregnancy, school drop-outs, STIs including HIV/AIDS and incidents of rape among girls, boys and women will need all stakeholder support to curb the menace.
“Adolescents and young people both in and out of schools are being introduced to an accurate and age-appropriate integrated model of Reproductive Health Education (RHE) which aims at addressing these challenges among adolescents,” Mr Agbenyo noted.
“With the support of community leaders, the incidence of gender-based violence perpetuated among girls and women will be reduced in their communities.”
On sustainability note, he mentioned, adolescent girls and boys in project districts are linked to Savana Signatures SHE+ Helpline to access health information, counselling and referrals to appropriate authorities such DOVVSU, Health Centers and the Department of Social Welfare.
The workshop brought together officials of Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, community leaders and Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in both districts.