Tema, May 15, GNA - Plan Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child, on Thursday organised a workshop in Accra, to address violence against children.

The workshop dubbed: "Respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of all children," sought to prevent and combat violence against children and the youth, which was in conflict with the law. It also created awareness of the effective running and implementation of mechanisms and laws in the area of protecting the youth and children in justice institutions.

Mrs. Joyce Odame, Advisor on Rights of the Child for Plan Ghana, said the NGO had come out with a project, which would be implemented within 36 months. She explained that existing structures including the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, Judicial Service and the Ghana Prisons Service, would be strengthened after the implementation of the project. Mrs Odame said the project would also improve the capacity of children and youth Clubs, to effectively engage policy makers to implement child- led initiatives aimed at reducing violence against children. She noted that the project would not only develop checklist on international standards to assess juvenile institutions, but also provide logistics for the already existing institutions, to enhance their ability to respond effectively to violence against children. She called on the Ghana Journalists Association to institute an award for the best journalist in reporting on violence against children in justice institutions. Mrs. Odame also called on other stakeholders, including civil society groups and the Department of Social Welfare to help combat violence against children and youth in justice institutions.