Empower, Don’t Silence Victims of GBV

Victims of gender-based violence (GBV) need assurance that when they come forward, they will not be shamed or silenced, experts at a three-day Gender Justice Hub held in Accra last week have said.

According to them, tackling GBV requires a collective effort from government, educational institutions and civil society to build a culture of accountability, justice and safety in Ghana’s higher educational system.

The initiative forms part of a broader project under the UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education at the University of Australia, led by Professor Penny Jane Burke. It was held under the theme, “Towards transformative research for Gender Justice and challenging Gender-Based Violence: The Gender Justice Hub.”

To support national efforts, a Gender Justice Hub has been established in Ghana. The hub comprises about 15 accomplished women from academia, media, law and other sectors committed to promoting research, advocacy and policy engagement on gender justice.

The experts described gender-based violence as a “global pandemic,” stressing that higher education institutions must play a critical role in tackling it. They noted that harassment, intimidation and exploitation within academic spaces undermine confidence, discourage reporting and, in some cases, force victims to drop out of school.

In an interview with The Spectator during the event, partner of the UNESCO Chair, Professor Gifty Oforiwaa Gyamera, said universities have the expertise and moral obligation to lead the fight against GBV.

“Universities are centres of knowledge and social transformation. They must set the standard for ethical conduct and protection of all members of the community,” she said.

Professor Gyamera urged universities in Ghana to take the lead in creating safe and inclusive learning environments. She also called on tertiary institutions to recognise, research and respond to GBV rather than downplay or conceal its impact on access and participation in higher education.

“In Australia, universities are mandated by government policy to respond to GBV through clear reporting systems and survivor support structures,” she said, urging Ghanaian universities to adopt similar approaches to protect students and staff from abuse and ensure accountability.

She raised ethical concerns about lecturer–student relationships, warning that the imbalance of power in such relationships can lead to exploitation, and called on universities to develop explicit ethical policies and disciplinary procedures to prevent abuse and safeguard students.

She urged institutions to conduct regular surveys to determine the prevalence of GBV, create confidential reporting channels and provide psychosocial support for survivors.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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