Zonta clubs appeal for year round sustained efforts on GBV

ZONTA Clubs of Ghana, a service organisation that aims to improve the status of women and girls in the country, has appealed for sustained efforts all year round to curb violence against women and girls.

According to the Zonta Clubs of Ghana, it stood united with Zonta International and the global community, to rekindle the flame of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) annually, towards tackling this shocking offence that so often went unnoticed, unannounced and unchecked.

In a press statement signed by the President of Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, Ewurabena Dawson-Amoah, the club said, “Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remained one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, taking physical, sexual and psychological forms.

It said the act manifested through intimate partner violence, harassment, child marriage, human trafficking and female genital mutilation, amongst other things.

Light Up Accra

In November last year, Zonta Ghana, as part of 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, symbolically festooned the capital with the colour orange which is the colour of the 16 Days of Activism, and according to the club, it was just the beginning of a light. “We endeavour to shine year-round, in the memory and awareness that gender-based violence is not seasonal and happens every day”.

The campaign theme for 2024, which was, "Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls", it said highlighted the urgency of accelerating action towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“As part of this effort, we appeal to one and all, friends/family of Zonta, organisations, and governments to prioritise accountability, resource women’s rights movements, and challenge harmful social norms,” it said.

It added: “Together, let us amplify the voices of survivors, support community actions, and "Orange the World" to symbolise hope and a brighter future for women and girls.”