African Women Leaders Network Ghana Chapter launches 16 days of activism against gender-based and digital violence

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter has launched this year’s edition of the global 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, reaffirming its commitment to combating all forms of violence against women and girls, with particular focus on the rising threat of digital abuse.

The initiative draws attention to the urgent need to address online harassment, threats, and exploitation targeting women and girls globally. Speaking at the launch in Accra on Tuesday, Dr Charity Binka, Chairperson of AWLN Ghana Chapter, emphasised that the campaign is more than symbolic; it is a call to action for government, institutions, and the public to confront entrenched inequalities that fuel violence in all its forms.

Dr Binka expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of domestic abuse, harmful cultural practices, femicide, and digital violence in Ghana. She explained that digital violence manifests through cyber-stalking, sexual extortion, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, deepfake manipulation, and coordinated digital attacks, posing severe threats to women’s safety and participation both online and offline.

“These forms of abuse have devastating emotional, psychological, social, and physical consequences that silence women, drive girls off online spaces, endanger public participation, and reinforce harmful gender power structures,” she said.

The chapter urged the government and parliament to strengthen laws addressing digital violence, ensuring clear definitions, criminalisation, and prosecution. Technology companies and digital platforms were also called upon to enhance monitoring, prevention, and timely removal of harmful content while providing confidential support to survivors.

Dr Binka stressed that ending gender-based violence is a national responsibility that requires leadership, institutional accountability, community vigilance, and citizen participation. She added, “Digital violence is not inevitable, it is preventable, because when we unite, speak out, demand accountability, and protect one another, we move closer to a Ghana where every woman and girl can live, grow, and lead without fear.”

This year’s global 16 Days of Activism is being observed under the theme: “Unite to end digital violence against all women and girls.”

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