December 12, 2020: A multi-disciplinary approach is needed to address violence in our society. This according to Ms. Juliana Ama Kplorfia, Executive Director of Girls Excellence Moment. She signaled that until we have come to the realization that cultural norms and value system has contributed eerily to the shadow pandemic of violence against women we cannot resolved or eliminate the pandemic among humanity. Juliana who also serves on the Board of Trustees of Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies spoke at the Panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) discussion on the topic; “Fight the Shadow Pandemic of Violence against Women during COVID-19” a forum which was co-hosted by Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies, Girls Excellence Movement, Academy of African Scholars for Social Change and African Girls Hope Foundation.
On his Part, Professor Dr. Jared Akama Onyari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies challenged the audience to rise up and fight the shadow pandemic in every form. He said Jagils intent to play its part in changing our violent culture and dealing with domestic violence issues through Jagils advocacy effort to be spearheaded by Jagils European Office.
The Executive Director of African Girls Hope Foundation Dr. Grace Nkundabantu said accessing school in the villages and empowering girl child can be a harrowing experience for a woman. She said violence against women is a very real concern and call on everyone to stand up and speak out. Dr. Nkundabantu said the cornerstone of women’s equality and the prevention of violence against women is education, but access to classrooms, school supplies, and teachers is often scarce in the places that need it the most.
On his part Mr. Mawuli Klevo, Director, Europeans Affairs and Campaign Coordinator, UN campaign on Elimination of Violence Against Women said, physical abuse of women and girls turns out to be the last result of many emotional, cultural and spiritual abuse among women. He called on society to pay attention to the socio-economic and emotional abuses that women and girls undergoes and not only focus on physical abuses.
Ms. Mabel Acheampomaa Abayie, Volunteer Coordinator and Faculty Member of Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies reemphasis on the subject of shadow pandemic and defined it as a global increase in violence against women and girls particularly domestic violence. She said the COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantine and lockdowns with limited outdoor exposure, it is no surprise that there has been an increase in domestic violence. She said victims are stuck home with their abusers and the lockdowns has intensified it. She said women have to be educated, empowered and supported to overcome the shadow pandemic
Dr. Samuel Jacobs-Abbey, Executive Director of Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies thanked the United Nations Women, Academy of African Scholars for Social Change, African Girls Hope Foundation, Girls Excellence Movement and the 76 participants who attended the panel discussion from around the world. In his closing remarks, Dr. Jacobs-Abbey said the purpose of the Townhall panel discussion was held as a means of sensitizing attendees on the issues of violence against women and empowering them to take an active stance against these issues. Dr. Jacobs-Abbey expressed that “our culture has to change in order to change the violence in our society.” he added that “violence needs a multi-disciplinary approach” to deal with our perpetrators and victims and assured that “the Jagils is willing to be the change that is needed in our countries”. Ms. Sarita Addy, a gender activist and a participant stressed that “the Government cannot deal with domestic violence alone” and called for everyone to play their part.
Participants concluded that despite unprecedented upsurge of movements for women’s rights, equality, safety and justice, the crime against women and girls is still continuing and failure to address this issue entails a significant cost for the future.
Please click below to watch the recorded meeting.
Dr. Samuel Jacobs-Abbey, Executive Director of Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies thanked the United Nations Women, Academy of African Scholars for Social Change, African Girls Hope Foundation, Girls Excellence Movement and the 76 participants who attended the panel discussion from around the world. In his closing remarks, Dr. Jacobs-Abbey said the purpose of the Townhall panel discussion was held as a means of sensitizing attendees on the issues of violence against women and empowering them to take an active stance against these issues. Dr. Jacobs-Abbey expressed that “our culture has to change in order to change the violence in our society.” he added that “violence needs a multi-disciplinary approach” to deal with our perpetrators and victims and assured that “the Jagils is willing to be the change that is needed in our countries”. Ms. Sarita Addy, a gender activist and a participant stressed that “the Government cannot deal with domestic violence alone” and called for everyone to play their part.
Participants concluded that despite unprecedented upsurge of movements for women’s rights, equality, safety and justice, the crime against women and girls is still continuing and failure to address this issue entails a significant cost for the future.
Please click below to watch the recorded meeting.
Thanks Dr. Samuel Jacobs-Abbey, PhD. MBA. BS. AS. CGPP Chief Executive Officer PSK Rep to United Nations, New York, Geneva & Vienna Ph: 703.419.9820 | Cell: 571.337.9185 Samuel.jabbey@jaglobalinstitute.org Disclaimer Ghanabanews is not responsible for the reportage or opinions of contributors published on the website. Send your news stories to www.ghanabanews.com and via whatsApp on +233243359263/0276359263
