How Britain helps Ghanaian families tackle violence at home
“DON’T speak to me like that,” a man shouts at his wife, throwing a barrage of accusations before he slaps her across the face and punches her in the stomach. “Have some respect!”
Laughter erupts among the 200 or so onlookers, for this exaggerated exchange is not real. Village leaders in Asibrim, a rural community in Ghana’s central region, are demonstrating how a small dispute can escalate into violence – and how to avoid it.
Although 45 per cent of women experience domestic violence during their lifetime in Ghana, the Metoo movement has barely touched the country, let alone this impoverished community.
However, an innovative Uk-funded scheme to tackle violence against women in rural areas has arrived here. And, so far, it appears to be working: women in participating villages have reported a 50 per cent fall in “physical partner” violence and a 55 per cent drop in “sexual partner” violence over 18 months.
The project, which trains volunteers to educate their community and intervene in domestic violence, was a much needed lifeline for women such as Rakeyia Yaah. “I was scared of my husband, he often threatened to kill me,” she said, sharing memories of the five years of domestic abuse she suffered inside her two-room concrete house.
“My husband would slap me and then beat my body when I asked for money for housekeeping or to take care of the children,” said Rakeyia.
Poverty exacerbated the violence, for money is a regular source of tension with Moro Muhammad, her husband.
The couple rely on subsistence farming to support their four children and whenever the pair used to discuss their finances Moro lost his short temper.
Sex was also an issue. “The violence was so bad I wanted to leave him,” Rakeyia, 32, said. “I stayed because I didn’t want my children to become displaced. But I was traumatised, emotionally and physically.”
Now her life is no longer dominated by fear. Her village is one of 20 rural communities in Ghana which have piloted community based action teams (Combat), funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).
“By educating a whole community – both women and men – it is possible to change lives,” said Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary. “No girl or woman should live in fear of violence.”
The teams help resolve disputes and offer counselling and support to victims and perpetrators of violence. If a survivor also wants to officially report an incident, Combat officers will help them. They act as an unofficial police force, bridging the gap between communities and state services.
“I married my wife because I love her, but I realise now that I abused the power in our relationship,” Moro said. “I do feel guilty. I have changed for my wife and I want to set a better example for my children.”
The project was co-ordinated by the Gender Centre in Ghana, supported by DFID’S flagship What Works project which – backed by £25million of funding – tested strategies to tackle domestic violence in 13 countries globally.