The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has voiced deep concern and alarm following her personal visit to the home of 32-year-old domestic abuse victim Harriet Amuzu.
The minister revealed that the victim is trapped in a toxic environment where her own social circle believes excessive talking justifies physical assault.
In an interview with JoyNews, Dr. Lartey confirmed that the pervasive justification for violence within Ms. Amuzu’s immediate surroundings presents a severe risk to the victim and her children.
The Pervasive ‘Talk Too Much’ Mentality
The minister recounted her experience visiting Ms. Amuzu’s residence, which brought to light a deep-seated, dangerous cultural belief system supporting gender-based violence (GBV).
“I was in the home myself, and it wasn’t the best of situations. Those around the woman seem to have the same orientation that when a woman talks too much, she has to be beaten,” the minister stated.
Dr. Lartey emphasized the shock of encountering this mindset within the family unit itself, suggesting that the social norm validates the physical abuse Ms. Amuzu suffered.
“Yes, same home. If they are watching me, they know what I’m talking about.”
This finding underscores a major challenge for the ministry: tackling not just the perpetrators of violence, but the societal norms that permit and encourage it.
Data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) frequently shows that a significant percentage of women and men in Ghana still believe a husband is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances, often including neglecting children or arguing back.
Protection of Children Becomes Priority
The minister stressed that the immediate focus is now on safeguarding Ms. Amuzu’s children, who are growing up exposed to this violence and toxic ideology.
The long-term psychological impact of witnessing domestic violence can be severe, often leading to intergenerational cycles of abuse.
“It will be difficult to allow these children to grow up in that environment, especially without the guidance of a mom.”
Dr. Lartey indicated that intervention by the Department of Social Welfare will be necessary to ensure the children are removed from an environment where violence is normalised and the mother’s protective presence is under threat.
Minister’s Call to Action
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is expected to utilize this case to renew its public education efforts.
According to the Domestic Violence Secretariat, documented cases of abuse remain high, with thousands of incidents reported annually across the country, though many cases go unreported due to social pressures and fear of victim-blaming.
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