The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has released data showing that 41.6% of women aged 15 to 49 who have had an intimate partner have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).
This includes emotional, physical, or sexual violence. Among those surveyed, 35.2% reported experiencing emotional violence, 22.7% reported experiencing physical violence, and 11.2% reported experiencing sexual violence.
The GSS also provided regional breakdowns, with the highest rates of IPV found in the Savannah (53.4%), Central (44.0%), Ahafo (44.0%), and Volta (43.6%) regions. The lowest rates were found in the Bono Region (26.3%). This information is based on preliminary findings from the upcoming 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) Report.
New data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reveals concerning levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women in the country. The preliminary findings from the upcoming 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) Report indicate that 41.6% of women aged 15 to 49 who have had an intimate partner have faced IPV, including emotional, physical, or sexual violence.
The breakdown of IPV experiences among the surveyed women shows that 35.2% reported emotional violence, 22.7% reported physical violence, and 11.2% reported sexual violence. These figures highlight the significant challenges faced by women in intimate relationships in Ghana.
The data also highlights the correlation between education levels and IPV experiences. The findings show that women with primary education or no education had higher rates of IPV, with 44.1% and 42.9% respectively, compared to women with more than secondary education, who had a lower rate of 23.0%.
Employment status was another factor influencing IPV experiences among women. The data reveals that women employed solely for cash reported the highest frequency of IPV, with 39.5% experiencing IPV. This was significantly higher than the rates for women employed but not for cash (28.9%) and those not employed at all (29.1%).
When examining the types of IPV experienced, the data shows that the most common form of sexual violence reported was being forced to have sexual intercourse, affecting 8.2% of women. For physical violence, being slapped was the most frequently experienced form, affecting 11.6% of women. Emotional violence, on the other hand, primarily took the form of being insulted or made to feel bad about oneself, affecting 27.1% of women.
Overall, the data reveals that one in every three women aged 15 to 49 in Ghana has experienced physical violence since the age of 15. This disturbing figure highlights the urgency in addressing this issue. Additionally, 12.2% of women in this age group reported experiencing physical violence often or sometimes in the 12 months prior to the survey, and 6.8% experienced physical violence while pregnant.
Regionally, the Central Region had the highest percentage of women (44.6%) who experienced physical violence since the age of 15, followed by the Savannah (42.9%) and Volta (40.2%) regions. In contrast, the lowest rates of physical violence were observed in the Upper West (23.7%) and North East (23.7%) regions.
These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive measures to address intimate partner violence in Ghana, including education, awareness campaigns, and support services for survivors. It is crucial to create a safe environment for women in intimate relationships, ensure their well-being, and work towards eliminating all forms of violence against women.
Approximately 63.2% of women who have been victims of physical violence reported that it was perpetrated by their current (33.2%) or former (29.9%) husbands or intimate partners, making them the main perpetrators of violence against women. Fathers (11.9%), mothers (11.9%), and siblings (10.4%) were the next highest categories of individuals responsible for physical violence. Women also reported physical violence from non-family members, including teachers (4.9%), schoolmates (4.6%), employers or colleagues (1.0%), and other people (6.1%).
Furthermore, the findings reveal that 14.1% of women aged 15 to 49 years have experienced sexual violence. The highest rates of sexual violence were reported in the Volta (22.3%), Central (19.6%), and Savannah (19.6%) regions.
Unfortunately, progress in eliminating violence against women has been slow in the past decade. From 2008 to 2022, the percentage of women who have experienced physical violence since the age of 15 decreased from 36.6% to 33.2%, while the percentage of women who have experienced sexual violence decreased from 18.8% to 14.4%. However, there was an increase in physical violence against pregnant women, rising from 5.2% to 6.8%.
These findings coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed annually on November 25th. This day serves to raise awareness and advocate for the prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls worldwide.
Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
