Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, has called for full protection for young girls who are abused sexually.
She called on religious bodies, the security and organisations working to promote children’s welfare to collaborate efforts to build and strengthen child protection systems at different levels, in different contexts.
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Mrs Osei was speaking on Joy FM’s flagship programme, Super Morning Show, as she host the show to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
Listen to Mrs Osei
Mrs Osei’s comments follow sexual harassment claims leveled against some teachers at the Ejisuman Senior High School (SHS) in the Ashanti Region.
At least 10 female students have appeared before an Investigative Committee set up by the Ghana Education Service over reported cases of sexual relations between students and teachers at the school.
One of the students recounted how her teacher forced her to stroke his penis to ejaculate after she declined the threat to insert it into her mouth.
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The revelation has gotten many parents angry and calling for severe punishment for the teachers who are found culpable.
But GNAT has cast doubt on the credibility of the stories given by the students and have blamed some faceless people for allegations.
The teachers’ body suggested their independent probe into the matter contradicts the stories told by the students.
But the EC chair believes victims of sexual abused needs to be protected.
She said some action should be taken to make sure that these victims do not get in touch with these teachers on a daily basis.
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“Victims of sexual abuse needs to be protected and I think it will help. Some action needs to be taken to make sure that these victims do not get in touch with these teachers on a daily basis. Believe me, these teachers are supporting each other and so preventing these victims from seeing them more often will also help. We need to reach out to these abuse young girls” she said.
Charlotte Osei asked religious bodies in the country, as well as organizations who matter, to use their positions to protect young girls who are abused sexually, both in schools and homes.
She said religious and faith leaders often hold positions of great respect, trust and confidence in our society.
She noted that there was the need for more awareness and discussion on sexual and gender violence, especially in the Senior High Schools.
On her part, Broadcast Journalist Nana Aba Anamoah, indicated that older women should be encouraged to mentor young girls so that young girls can reach out to them for counseling.
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Sex education, she stressed, is good however, when, how and where the education is carried out should be the focus.
International Women’s Day is a dedicated by the UN as the day on which the whole world must reflect on and acknowledge not only the enormous and incalculable contributions of women to the achievement of better livelihoods for humanity but also to ponder about the travails and tribulations of women.
AUDIO: Victims of sexual abuse need to be protected – Charlotte Osei
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