Gender
Digital violence: Victim awaits justice as campaign launches
When Adjoa’s (not her real name) phone was hacked on November 16, 2025, the perpetrator demanded money in exchange for her private videos. The 20-year-old student had none to give, and within hours, the intimate content was circulating online.
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, launched the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence at Kaneshie Market on November 25. The campaign, themed “Unite! End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” focused on addressing online harassment, sextortion, and image-based sexual abuse, which are increasingly significant forms of violence against women and girls in Ghana.
At the event, Dr Lartey cited national statistics, noting that the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey found 27.7% of Ghanaian women had suffered at least one form of domestic violence, while 32% of girls aged 15 to 24 still believed that wife-beating was justified. She described digital violence as a serious human rights violation that often goes unreported due to cultural norms placing women and girls at greater risk.
“The ministry is working to operationalise its shelters in Accra, as well as construct the 16 regional shelters promised by His Excellency within three years. The National Domestic Violence Policy has been approved by Cabinet, and a new Domestic Abuse Law is being drafted by the Attorney General’s Department,” Dr Lartey explained.
For Adjoa, the threats are already real. Her ordeal began innocuously on Snapchat when she shared her contact believing she was communicating with another young woman. It was later revealed that she was speaking to a man with malicious intent.
“The first thing he said was, ‘Your leaks or we talk business,’” Adjoa recalled. The man sent a link compromising her Snapchat account and demanded money. When she could only provide GH¢16.65, he escalated his demands, insisting on access to all her social media accounts. She refused, and he threatened, “I have uploaded it again. You can check it on Leaktube and Telegram.”
Within days, her videos circulated online with captions claiming she performed sexual acts for money—a claim she denies. Adjoa promptly reported the case to the Cybersecurity Division, providing links, screenshots, and the perpetrator’s number. Twelve days later, she received only a single update confirming the videos had been reported for takedown, and the content remains accessible.
Under Ghana’s Cyber Security Act 2020 (Act 1038) and the Criminal Offences Act, hacking, illegal access to computer systems, extortion, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images are criminalized. Adjoa’s case illustrates the slow pace of enforcement and the urgent need for swift action.
The psychological impact has been severe. “I can’t eat. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I can’t even bring myself to bathe,” Adjoa shared. She experiences suicidal thoughts and constant anxiety about who has seen her videos. Only the support of a few friends has helped her maintain some stability.
Adjoa advises young women to be cautious online: “Your privacy online is never guaranteed. Be careful who you trust. Not everyone who smiles at you on social media has good intentions.” She also encourages victims to report incidents immediately, emphasizing that documentation provides protection, support, and a chance for justice.
For government officials, Adjoa urges: “We need action, not just words. Young girls are vulnerable to online abuse, and stronger protections and faster responses are essential.” She stresses the need for systemic reform, faster removal of harmful content, stricter consequences for perpetrators, and better support systems including counselling and legal guidance.
The campaign brought together development partners, civil society organizations, transport sector leaders, and members of the public to intensify advocacy, strengthen community action, and promote protection for women and girls. While the 16 Days campaign aims to protect women and girls, for Adjoa, its impact is yet to be felt. For now, she waits.
Eyram M.A. Yorgbe is a postgraduate student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication, Ghana, and NLA University College, Norway.
By Eyram M.A. Yorgbe
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Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system.
She urged women lawyers to build on the legacy of trailblazers who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.
Madam Bampoe Addo made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “The role of women lawyers in national development: honouring trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo said the progress made by women in the legal profession was not accidental but the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination.
She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, saying their achievements broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women lawyers.
She commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mrs Sophia Akuffo, and Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo, whose leadership reflected the growing influence of women in Ghana’s judiciary.
Women lawyers had made significant contributions across multiple sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement.
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that their efforts had advanced gender equality, strengthened institutions and improved access to justice in the country.
She expressed concern about the persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women.
The courts, she noted, must not only deliver justice but must also communicate it in a manner that upheld respect and fairness for all parties.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
She called for a more progressive and context-sensitive approach to adjudication, drawing on comparative jurisprudence from other jurisdictions to ensure fairness and equity.
Madam Bampoe Addo urged legal practitioners and judges to build on progressive legal precedents and ensure that Ghana’s legal system evolved to reflect contemporary social realities.
She emphasised the importance of mentorship and inclusivity, encouraging women in leadership to create opportunities for others and support the next generation of female lawyers.
She called on young women to pursue legal careers with confidence, adding that the profession offered vast opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Donkor, the Director-General of CID, said women lawyers played indispensable roles in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
They had excelled in various fields and occupied key leadership positions, contributing to policy reforms and championing justice for vulnerable groups, she added.
COP Donkor paid tribute to trailblazing women lawyers whose achievements continued to inspire and motivate younger generations to strive for excellence.
She urged students and young practitioners to go beyond academic successes and embrace the broader mission of promoting justice, fairness and societal transformation.
She encouraged more women lawyers to consider careers in the Ghana Police Service, describing law enforcement as a critical area where legal expertise was needed to strengthen justice delivery.
She commended the organisers of the conference for the success, saying it would encourage the next generation of women lawyers to continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s development. – GNA
The Dzidula Pink Foundation has engaged expectant mothers on cervical cancer at a recent pregnancy clinic held at St Gregory Hospital, Budumburam in the Awutu Senya East District.
The engagement formed part of its advocacy on early cancer detection to safeguard maternal health.
It also formed part of the foundation’s broader mission to raise awareness about cancers affecting women, particularly at a time when many may be least likely to consider screening especially pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Addressing a gathering of pregnant women at the clinic, the president of the foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, highlighted a worrying trend where a significant number of women are diagnosed with cancer around the time of delivery.
This, she noted, often results from delayed screening and limited awareness about the importance of early detection.
She educated the women about the need to prioritise their health by undertaking timely cancer screening, even while navigating the demands of pregnancy.
She reiterated that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.
“Pregnancy should not be a reason to delay screening. In fact, it is a critical period where heightened awareness can save lives,” Ms Gozo said.
The engagement also created a platform for open dialogue, allowing the expectant mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from health professionals present at the clinic.
Health experts at the facility echoed the foundation’s message, underscoring that routine checks and screenings, when done early, can lead to timely interventions and better health outcomes for both mother and child.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
