The General Manager of the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Isaac Okpoti Adjei, has called for a united, multi-sector approach to tackling gender-based violence (GBV), stressing the need for accountability, justice and robust support systems for survivors.
He was speaking at the Women Empowerment Summit hosted by the hotel under the theme “Breaking the Silence: Advancing Justice, Accountability and Support to End Gender-Based Violence.”
Mr Adjei said the hotel, as part of a global hospitality brand, was committed to championing awareness and action on GBV.
“We are a global company to create awareness on gender-based violence. So, we decided to focus on the accountability aspect, the justice and the support,” he explained.
Highlighting the persistent stigma faced by survivors, he criticised societal tendencies to blame victims instead of perpetrators.
“More often than not, the survivors are seen as rather the ones who are causing the problem, and the perpetrators are left off the whole,” he said.
He outlined a three-pronged strategy driving the initiative: awareness creation, a better understanding of the justice system, and the expansion of support avenues for victims and survivors.
“First, to get awareness created; second, to understand what the justice system is; and third, to know what the avenues for support are. Globally, that is why we decided to embark on this summit.”
Mr Adjei stressed that raising awareness is crucial to shifting public attitudes.
“It appears that the focus is always on blaming the victims. But we want abusers and would-be abusers to know that there is a legal regime. There are sanctions and penalties for one who gets himself involved in GBV.”
He added that part of the mission was to give renewed hope to survivors.
“We want victims to know that all is not lost. There is an avenue for them to voice their issues and their challenges, so that at the end of the day, as a society, we can create support for gender-based victims.”
The summit, he said, is only the beginning of a sustained effort.
“Beyond this event, there are going to be many workshops. This is the main event that has been launched.”
He emphasised the importance of collaboration with key institutions, including policymakers and law enforcement.
“There will be partnership with decision-makers, policymakers and especially the role of the police. As you saw through the discussion today, there seems to be a misunderstanding of what the role of the police is and what gender-based advocates want to do,” he said.
“So it is important that we create regular mini-workshops and platforms so all professionals and advocates can come together and ensure that GBV is a continuous discussion in our communities.”
Mr Adjei said the private sector stood ready to support government by creating platforms for dialogue but stressed that the state must lead on policy reform.
“What we expect from government is more policy-shaping. As the issues come to the fore, some of them can be incorporated into legislation and public advocacy in the communities.”
He also called for early intervention through schools, noting that harmful attitudes often develop during adolescence.
“Many people, especially when it starts from secondary schools, seem to see women as objects of gratification. Government, in our humble opinion, should start the awareness from the tender age in the schools so that we create respect for our women, not just in our homes but in the schools.”
“And as men grow to the upper side of society, they will continue to value women and take care of them.”
The Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel said it remains committed to advancing public education, hosting regular workshops and fostering partnerships aimed at breaking the silence and strengthening national action against gender-based violence.
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