Nkawie (Ash), Dec. 4, GNA - A durbar has been held at Nkawie in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District to highlight the need to end violence against women and children, calling on all and sundry to work to stop abuses against their fundamental freedom and rights.

Mrs Augustina Gyamfi, the acting Ashanti Regional Director of the Department of Women, said it was also time women themselves became more assertive in the protection of their rights and that of children. The durbar was held under the theme: "Women Speak Peace - End Violence against Women Now". The durbar attracted huge gathering comprising chiefs, queens, representatives from civil society organizations, women groups and opinion leaders. The Department of Women and the District Assembly jointly organized the durbar. Mrs Gyamfi said physical, sexual or psychological assault on women should not be allowed to continue and spoke of the need to intensify public education.

She said it was important to assist particularly husbands to have better understanding of the Children's Act (Act 560) and the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732). Mrs Gyamfi encouraged women to fight for elective positions to influence policy decisions in their favour. Nana Asare Bediako, the District Chief Executive, said Government would make every effort to reduce the abuse of women and children by strengthening agencies working to protect their dignity. He promised that the Assembly would continue to give budget support to women in the area to acquire employable skills and expand their economic activities in order to reduce poverty among them. 4 Dec. 10