Advocating for the Rights of Vulnerable Women and Girls in Ghana

Gender-based violence (GBV) can be seen as any act that causes physical, sexual or emotional harm and reinforces gender inequality. Although, it is acknowledged that GBV applies to men and boys, women and girls are usually the majority. Research shows that, one in three women will encounter sexual violence in her lifetime, and every year millions of children are sexually abused.

Despite this, movement to fight women`s rights remain underfunded with majority of aids still reaching males. GBV as an issue affects millions of people across the world, and has a distinct repercussion on those holding a marginalized racial, ethnic, class, indigenous and/ or disables status. We must therefore acknowledge GBV as essential to humanitarian issues to collectively fight it as such, hence the focus of Ufeministi Anyidado.

ABOUT ANYIDADO

Ufeministi Anyidado for Vulnerable women and Girls (UV for VW&G) is a women’s based not for profit Non-governmental organization registered under the companies’ law of Ghana with registration number CG021402018. The name ufeministi connotes hope for the hopeless which is the equivalence of Anyidado in the Fanti Language in Ghana. Its main objects are promoting the rights of women and girls generally and contributing to the fight against gender based violence in Ghana.

The establishment of the organization emerged from the experience of the Executive Director who is passionate about helping vulnerable women and young girls out of sufferings from gender based violence. Prior to registering the organization, the members have been working privately to give support to victims of gender based violence especially in the hinterland, urban slums and other deprived communities in Ghana. Through this private initiative, more than 100 women have been reached out to and supported to move on in life.

ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

An Anti-Domestic Violence Advocate, Marina Carmen Esarba Kelly, a Ghanaian, is passionate about advocating for women’s right and fighting for the vulnerable and oppressed women in the society.

The establishment of the organization emerged from her experience, being a thriving survivor of various forms of violence. Prior to registering the organization, she had been working privately to give support to victims of gender-based violence especially in the hinterland, urban slums and other deprived communities in Ghana. Through this private initiative, more

than 100 women have been reached out to and supported to move on in life. As a mother, her love for children runs deep and extends to all and sundry with wide open arms. She is a highly motivated African woman with the wish that African women and women all over the world will not settle for being abused and will have the courage to exit any abusive setting.

Apart from being the Executive Director and Founder of Ufeministi Anyidado for Vulnerable Women and Children, she is a Paralegal and an Executive Committee member of the Public Relations and Complains Committee (PRCC), Ga West Municipal Assembly, Accra.

Marina Carmen Esarba Kelly

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He doesn’t have to hit you for it to be abuse. He can degrade, humiliate, blame curse, manipulate or try to control you. It’s still domestic violence.

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I was heartbroken, scared, I had a lot of anxiety, I was worried, I felt weak, and I had no idea how I was ever going to come up with the strength, But I Just closed my eyes , and took a blind leap. I knew I had to get out of there.

Casey

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To those who abuse: The sin is yours, the crime is yours, and the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: blaming the victims only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse. Stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest.