THE “ORANGE Your Campus Campaign” initiated by Amnesty International Ghana (AI) aimed at fighting sexual harassment and violence on university campuses is gradually catching waves on the various tertiary institution in the country.
The campaign which was designed to commemorate 16 days of activism on International Day Against Gender-based Violence is making impacts as the ambassadors commissioned for the activity says the responses are marvelous.
The initiative which has a global touch was on the theme; “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape”, while the theme for the campus campaign in Ghana was “Orange Your Campus: Stand against Sexual Abuse,” trained 75 students ambassadors from the University of Ghana, Legon, University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Accra Technical University and Achievers Ghana, a club that is promoting the habit of reading in the Nima Community.
Speaking to Starrfm.com.gh, the Ambassador for the University of Ghana, Mr Bright Emmanuel Abiah said the campaign is gradually making waves as many people encountered so far shown clearly that most of them were not even aware of their sexual rights, a development he says has led to so many abuses in the past.
Mr Abiah said the education has open up people awakening on the their sexual rights and added that the campus campaign has so far bridge the fear between victims and human rights activist.
“Through our education, we have made them understand that if someone touches you uncontrollably is an act of sexual harassment and the need to report to Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service and other human rights agencies that frown on these activities,” he stated.
On her party, the President of AGI, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) Chapter, Ms Mabel Yartey said their campaign focused mainly on how to help victims voice out their ordeal and how to help them overcome the past.
Ms Yartey said many of the people spoke to didn’t even know that if someone interfere on your personal affair or matters it amount to sexual abuses and need to report.
“We also educated them on their sexual rights and places to go to seek redress whenever someone is infringing on their sexual right,” she stated.
She added that base on the effective campaign by the GIJ Chapter of AGI, many students have started registering with AI to learn more and know more about their sexual rights.
The annual international campaign started on November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ended on December 10, a day set aside by the United Nations as the Human Rights Day.
The aim of the campaign is to train more than 600 students to create awareness of sexual harassment and violence on various schools in the country.
Statistics
Available statistic released by the United Nations (UN) states that “globally one out of three women and girls experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner.”
In Ghana, a study released by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection showed that in 2015 27.7% of women and 20% of men experienced one form of domestic violence or another.
The study, revealed further that the incidence of domestic violence was generally lower among men than among women, with the most common form of domestic violence experienced by men being psychological violence.
Source: Ghana/starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/By Philip Antoh