By Patrick Biddah
A renowned feminist, madam Bernice Sam, is calling for a more simpler breakdown of the Domestic Violence Act.
She said, the Act provides more protection for victims and how they can pursue that protection, but inadequate knowledge of the law, has not seen a more aggressive fight.
According to her, lack of detailed understanding by victims of the law, has presented the situation where victims are unable to take full advantage of it .
Speaking in an interview with Journalists in Accra yesterday on the sideline of a consultative meeting organized by the International Network To End ViolenceAgainst Women and Girls( INEVAWG) Madam Sam, indicated that the younger generation who have the tools through social media are the ones who are expected to understand the provisions in the Act.
Madam Sam, who is a lawyer , further made the point that the younger generation needs the knowledge to build formidable movements with the aim of helping to demand accountability and support from institutions who have the mandate to act in the interest of the victims of domestic violence.
Madam Sam , who has been in the forefront of women and girls advocacy since the early 90s,said the provisions in the law gives a lot more rights to victims but because their understanding is not firmly grounded it does not help them to demand an enforcement of their support.
“ When you look at studies which have been done, you see that people only focus on the physical abuses and all of that but when you look at the law it a very expansive piece of legislation so what we are saying is that let us go back and look at the law to make it reflect the simple and easy understanding of everyone to the best of serving the interest of victims ”, she stressed.
Under the theme: “ Repoliticising Violence Against Women and Girls “, the consultation seeks to influence policy and build a fierce feminist front.
There are currently 13 implementing institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, the Interior, Gender and others who are to coordinate activities to see to the full implementation of the law .
The consultation brought together some women groups and feminist who are in the academia.
Speaking, however, on intergenerational leadership, a lecturer at the Center for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation of the University of Cape Coast, Dr Amanda Odoi, expressed the view that mentorship of the younger generation can help to pass on the leadership mantle directly while reading about the pace setters in the fight against domestic violence can as well result in passing the mantle of leadership.
Although, there are advocacy being done in the academia , Dr Odoi pointed out that those who are in the field by way of practicing the advocacy are all helping in getting to the ultimate goal.
For her, the older generation of leaders can as well tap into the strength of the younger ones by educating them on the law which will in effect give them the tools to work.
The future of the movement, she emphasized rest with the women and the resources available in terms of knowledge and networking.
