The Volta Region Women’s Committee of the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) on Monday, November 24 joined students and staff of Peki Senior High School to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Addressing the gathering, Chairperson of the Committee, Mabel Duvor, thanked the school for hosting the engagement and stressed the continuing impact of gender-based violence—both offline and online—on young women and girls.
“Gender-based violence, including the rising threat of online abuse, leaves deep emotional and psychological scars. But there is hope — and that hope lies in you, our young people,” she told students.
“You have the power to speak up, support one another, and help build a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.”
She urged participants to wear orange, the signature color of the campaign, symbolizing a unified commitment to end violence.
“There is no excuse. We must act to end violence,” she added.
DOVVSU warns against online vulnerabilities
Delivering the keynote address, ACP Mercy Brown, Regional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), cautioned students against posting nude images online, noting that such actions heighten exposure to cyber predators.
“Once an image is online, control is lost, and young people become easy targets for exploitation,” she said.
ACP Brown outlined Ghana’s legal provisions against cyber abuse and explained that persistent online harassment can escalate into physical crimes, including rape, defilement, indecent assault, and unnatural carnal knowledge.
“These offenses carry devastating medical and social consequences. Victims risk contracting STIs, which can progress into serious diseases if left untreated,” she stated.
She emphasized that perpetrators face severe penalties under Ghanaian law. “The law is clear: offenders can be jailed between 5 and 15 years.”
ACP Brown also briefed students on the specialized units working nationwide to address cyber-related threats:
• Cyber Investigations Unit – Responsible for cybercrime investigations and digital forensics.
• Cyber Intelligence (Cyber Patrol) – Monitors online platforms for suspicious activity.
• Child Protection Digital Forensics Laboratory – Handles investigations related to child abuse and cyberbullying.
Management of Peki Senior High School commended HSWU and DOVVSU for the sensitization program, describing it as timely and essential for young learners.
They called for more educational engagements to strengthen student awareness of gender-based violence and online safety.
