Kwanfinfin (Ash), Dec. 15, GNA - Mrs Mercy Oti Appiah, Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinator of the Atwima District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has suggested to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to introduce Gender Violence into the curriculum of basic schools in the country.

This, she said, would help in enlightening school children from the basic levels on the problems associated with violence against women to ensure gender equality.

Mrs Appiah was speaking on a Gender Violence education programme, organised by the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), an NGO at Kwanfinfin in the Atwima Mponua District on Tuesday.

The function attended by school children and adults was aimed at educating them about the causes and effects of violence against women and children, especially the girl-child and how to address the problem in society.

She explained that, there were different types of violence, which include physical, psychological and economic and said these affect women and children and deny them of their rights.

Mrs Appiah noted that many organisations including the United Nations were greatly concerned about the phenomenon and its elimination from society.

The Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinator said the problem has resulted in the loss of many lives, low enrolment of girls in schools, high dropout rate, poor performance among girls and increase in the rate of teenage pregnancy.

She said, however that, in spite of this determination, societal perception, cultural practices and norms have seriously affected efforts at eliminating the problem from society.

Mrs Appiah therefore, appealed to Parliament to speed up the process of enacting the Violence Against Women Bill to check the problem.

She urged the media, the National Council on Women and Development and other NGOs to educate and highlight on the effects and address the problem.

Mrs Elizabeth Aduboufour, Programme Officer of CEDEP in-charge of Violence Against Women and Children in the Ashanti Region said, CEDEP and other human rights groups have over the years tried to change the unfortunate situation of violence against women and children. She said her organisation therefore, supported many marginalized and vulnerable people.

Mr Addai Marfo, a retired educationist, who presided over the function, appealed to parents and guardians, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and School Management Committees (SMCs) to strive to instil discipline in pupils and students to improve their performances in schools. 15 Dec. 04