Takoradi, Dec. 19, GNA - Madam Jane Edna Nyame, Regional Director of the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs said the passage of the domestic violence bill would be to the benefit of both men and women. She said the bill was only meant to prevent people from abusing their spouses and children. Mad. Nyame said these at the opening of a day's workshop on the Domestic Violence Bill at Takoradi over the weekend. She said certain traditions and cultures, accept gender based violence and this practice must stop.

Madam Nyame therefore, appealed to chiefs to review outmoded customs and cultural practices that promote violence against women and children. She stressed that Domestic violence should not be treated as a trivial issue, since the nations development would need the resources and skills of the entire population to move it forward. Mrs Patience Diaba said the Police must hide the identities of informants in Domestic Violence cases to ensure social cohesion and peace within the home. The participants stressed that "marital rape should not be included in the bill, since it could worsen the plight of several women and break up homes. They rather called for stiffer punishments to prevent their spouses from abusing them at home.