The Executive Director of the Ghana Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs Susan Aryeetey, has called on government to ensure that survivors of domestic violence are provided with essential services as stipulated under the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732).
Speaking at a policy dialogue on domestic violence in Accra on Friday, Mrs Aryeetey stressed that although the Act mandates free medical care, legal aid and psychosocial support for survivors, weak implementation has deprived them of these critical services.
She warned that the failure to fully enforce the Act results in attrition of cases, since many survivors are unable to pursue justice due to lack of medical reports and support services.
“There is a law in the Domestic Violence Act that talks about survivors having access to free medical care, legal aid and psychosocial support. When this is not implemented, cases collapse at the court,” she stated.
According to her, FIDA-Ghana is deeply concerned about the welfare of survivors, pointing to the strong link between domestic violence and mental health, psychosocial well-being and economic hardship.
She also disclosed that FIDA-Ghana is working with organisations such as ActionAid to sustain advocacy, awareness creation and policy reforms to tackle the menace.
Mrs Aryeetey urged government to ensure the timely release of funds and collaborate with the private sector to strengthen the fight against domestic and gender-based violence.
“We need to make sure that money is not just allocated but released on time,” she emphasised.
She further appealed to medical doctors to review their fees in order to enable survivors and other marginalised groups to access care.
Mrs Aryeetey also urged government to provide shelters, stressing that without them, survivors are forced to remain in toxic environments
BY CYNTHIA ASAMPANA
