Editorial
Stop abuse of women, children; they must be protected
Violence affects millions of women and children around the world, and poverty unfortunately makes them more vulnerable to a range of everyday forms of violence.
According to statistics one in five girls is sexually abused at least once in her life. Additionally, around 736 million women have at some point in their lives been victims of sexual or physical abuse.
Furthermore, girls under the age of 16 are the victims of up to 50 percent of sexual assaults worldwide.
It is really depressing that assault situations are frequently handled at home and viewed as family matters rather than being reported to the appropriate authorities to address the problems.
The Spectator is opposed to violence against women and children, which is common in most homes but ought to end because these individuals have rights and require protection.
As a result of this, November 25 is celebrated around the world as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW). It also signifies the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which continues until December 10, International Human Rights Day.
These 16 days offer a specific time frame for action and advocacy. The goal of the yearly campaign is to prevent and end violence against women and children. The theme for this year is “A woman is killed every 10 minutes.” #UniTE to End Violence Against Women #NoExcuse.
It aims to promote a shift in the attitudes, behaviours, and culture that contribute to violence against women and their children. The campaign seeks to permanently eradicate abuse from society and increase awareness of the detrimental effects that violence and abuse have on women and children.
Physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, cultural, verbal, and financial abuse are all forms of violence against women and children. In addition, it may involve coersion, threats, denial of freedom, digital or online abuse, forced or child marriages, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
These are human rights abuses that occur daily, repeatedly, and everywhere in the world. They have detrimental short- and long-term effects on women and girls’ physical, economic, and psychological well-being, though they can also target boys, preventing them from fully and equally participating in society.
In order to prevent violence against women and children we can empower women, educate others about gender equality and non-violence, and support their independence and decision-making authority in relationships and public life.
We should also treat all forms of abuse and violence seriously, apprehend those responsible, and punish them severely deter others from committing similar crimes.
We should also take all violence and abuse seriously by arresting perpetrators and dealing severely with them to deter others from engaging in similar acts.
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
