Koforidua, Sept 16, GNA - Civil society groups in the Eastern Region have welcomed the Domestic Violence Bill before Parliament and feel it is timely and laudable in the efforts at promoting sanity in the society and minimising violence against women and children. They also view the passage of the Bill as likely to promote gender balance and peace in marriages.

The expectations were expressed at a day's forum on the Bill at Koforidua on Tuesday, organised by the National Coalition on the Domestic Violence Legislation for civil society groups drawn from the New Juaben, East Akim, Akuapem South, Fanteakwa and Suhum/Kraboa/Coaltar districts.

Religious and traditional leaders, teachers, the media, trade unions, traders and security agencies, attended the forum, which formed one of a series of nationwide public education sensitisation forums on the Bill.

Giving an overview of the Bill, Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, National Co-ordinator of the Coalition, said domestic violence is a major human rights abuse.

She said the Criminal Code is not adequate enough to check the incidence. ''It contains an archaic English law which even justified the use of force in marriage."

Nana Asantewa Afadzinu said the Bill seeks to ensure equity in marriage life, protect either spouse from abuses, especially women and provide for shelter for victims of domestic violence at public premises.

Mr Adolf Awuku Bekoe, a Clinical Psychologist and member of the Coalition, stressed the need for married couples to develop a high sense of openness, communication and tolerance to check the resort to violence at the slight provocations.

Mr Mawuli Dake , a legal advocate of the Coalition, called on the participants to encourage the study of the Bill in homes, communities and workplaces and lobby their Members of Parliament to support the passage of the Bill.