The participants were equipped with gender-based and domestic violence reporting mechanisms and what victims should do in times of domestic violence abuse and the safeguarding policy of WODAO.

Participatory tools, such as stories linked with focus group discussion and role play in the local Ewe language of the beneficiaries, were used to enhance their full participation and understanding.

Ms. Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, Executive Director, WODAO said violence against women existed in every society and it encompassed different forms of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

"However, despite its high scale and social impact, it remains largely under-reported and relatively under researched in key areas," she said.

Ms Kofiedu said until recently, violence against women -particularly domestic violence was considered a private matter in which the state played a limited role.

The Executive Director said women and girls with disabilities in Ghana were at risk of gender-based violence, experiencing it at least two to three times more often than women without disabilities.

Ms Kofiedu said in Volta and Oti Regions where WODAO operated, the prevalence of domestic violence was extremely high, and it had both physical and emotional consequences on the victims.
She told Ghana News Agency that though Ghana passed the Domestic Violence Act 2007, however, awareness of the contents of the Act was low, particularly among marginalised women including women with disabilities in rural areas.

The Executive Director said the organisation was carrying out project with funding support from Bente Skanguards, Norway, to help reduce gender-based and domestic violence among women with disabilities.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Madam Faustina Awumey, Volta Regional Coordinator for Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service said the Unit had measures in place including sensitisation in schools and communities to deal with gender-based violence.

Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director for Department of Gender said women empowerment was a fundamental human right for achieving a more peaceful coexistence and prosperous societies.

It is also a promotion of women's sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices and rights to influence social change for themselves and others, she added.