Tamale (Northern Region) - The Northern Region recorded 94 cases of domestic violence against women and children between last year and this year. The cases include rape, defilement, abduction, and accusation of witchcraft and abandonment of children.

Police Superintendent Aikius Darkey, Northern Regional Crime Officer, disclosed this at a forum to mark the celebration of the "International Women's Day" in Tamale. The Social Enterprise Development Foundation (SEND Foundation), an NGO, in collaboration with the Tamale Municipal Assembly, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the National Council on Women and Development {NCWD} organised the forum.

Superintendent Darkey mentioned the failure of victims to report such incidents, the interference of relatives, as well as poverty, which prevent them from pursuing cases, as some of the problems that hinder the effective handling matters by the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the Police Service.

Superintendent Darkey appealed to women to co-operate with the police by reporting all cases of violence against them and follow up till the cases are logically concluded. Miss Mary Buah, the Tamale Municipal Girl-child Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) said it was only through education that women could be enlightened and empowered to know and defend their rights.

She said it was in this light that the GES established the Girl-Child Unit to promote the education of girls, since that was the most powerful means to liberate women from domestic violence.

Dajah Iddrisu, the Regional Director of CHRAJ asked women to get involved in decision-making both at the political and social levels, else they would be marginalized by society.

He condemned men who always accuse women of witchcraft and unproven allegations of infidelity and beat their spouses to death. A participant from the Regional House of Chiefs said traditional rulers should be involved in resolving issues of violence against women.