Let’s all unite to fight violence against women

THE Public Information Officer of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Mrs Needa Jehu-Hoyah, has stated that the fight to end violence against women will succeed if both men and women adopt a united effort.
She said the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, “Women and men: United to end violence against women”, was in consonance with the UNHCR’s mandate for the protection of the rights of refugees, adding, “The pursuit of gender equality through targeted actions of empowering women and girls remains a fundamental aspect of UNHCR’s work.”
Mrs Jehu-Hoyah was speaking on behalf of the UNHCR High Commissioner, Mr Antonio Guterres, at a durbar to honour 480 women, including 30 survivors of domestic and gender violence, trained by the UNHCR in various skills at the Buduburam Refugee Camp in the Central Region.
The durbar was held to climax this year's International Women's Day,
The training formed part of the commission’s efforts to forge peaceful co-existence between refugees and the host communities by organising programmes to enhance the lives of both parties.
The information officer contended that in situations of forced displacement, no one was spared deprivation, stating that violence, particularly sexual and gender-based, was a major characteristic of contemporary conflict.
“We have framed the matter positively, highlighting the role of all of us in promoting human rights and gender equality,” she stated, adding, “It begins with me; it begins with you, it begins with us.”
The Director of the Central Regional Department of Women, Mrs Paulina Abayage, enumerated the types of domestic violence and said they included physical, sexual and psychological violence, as well as non-verbal and economic violence, which she described as a situation where men denied their spouses the opportunities of becoming economically viable.
According to her, domestic violence in the Central Region was on the increase and that the best way to minimise it was through awareness creation and the expression of extreme love for victims.
She also spoke about the crucial role of women in conflict, and citing the Liberian civil war as an example, she said the war in that country would not have degenerated to that extent if women’s role in conflict management had been recognised and utilised appropriately.

Caption : The Head of Women of Glory at the Buduburam Camp, Madam Kebah Freeman (left), receiving a certificate from the Public Information Officer of the UNHCR, Mrs Needa Jehu-Hoyah (middle), for her contribution to the promotion of the welfare of women and growth women associations at the camp. With them (right) is the Repatriation Officer at the camp, Madam Olivia Shannon.