PureTrust Foundation LBG, an NGO, has held a forum to raise awareness about domestic violence and to contribute to addressing the incidence of domestic violence through the promotion of positive spousal communication.
The forum, held in Tamale on the theme: ‘’Addressing Domestic Violence Through Positive Spousal Communication”, was attended by the Wuntira Weavers Association, a young women’s group, which is a beneficiary of the Inclusive Garment Smock Initiative of the PureTrust Foundation LBG.
It provided a safe platform for the participants to share their experiences and learn effective strategies to prevent domestic violence in their homes and communities.
It was organised in partnership with Vibrant Village Foundation, German Development Cooperation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and Business for Social Responsibilities as part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is a global campaign, observed from November 25 to December 10 every year aimed at creating awareness and eliminating violence against women, girls and children.
Miss Jamila Tahiru, Projects Coordinator, PureTrust Foundation LBG, speaking during the forum, explained that it was in line with the organisation’s commitment to gender and child protection issues.
She emphasised the importance of empowering women with the knowledge and skills to foster non-violent relationships to build resilient families.
Madam Savera Dakurah, a resource person from the Department of Social Welfare, who spoke on the topic: “Overview on Domestic Violence and its Effects on Individuals and Families”, mentioned culture, religion, illiteracy, and poverty as some of the contributing factors for domestic violence.
She touched on effects of domestic violence on individuals, which included death, diseases, divorce, broken homes and retarded development, urging the participants to seek support by reaching out to the Department of Social Welfare and other organisations for assistance in addressing marital issues.
Hajia Faidatu Alhassan, Board Secretary, Tamale Development Trust, spoke on the concept of positive spousal communication in preventing domestic violence, highlighting forms of communication that could contribute to domestic violence such as non-verbal actions and body language, timing and location of conversations, avoidance, tone of speech, and lack of active listening.
She emphasised the importance of positive spousal communication and recommended active listening, assertiveness, and emotional intelligence as effective strategies for avoiding conflicts as well as exercising patience in their marital homes to help prevent domestic violence.
Hajia Safia Alhassan, Chief Executive Officer, Pagsung Shea Cooperative Association, spoke on “Forms and Practices of Positive Spousal Communication within our Local Context to Prevent Domestic Violence and Promote a Happy Family”.
She touched on practical practices that promoted peaceful dialogue in marital homes, including respect for culture and family elders, patience, cleanliness, polite language, seeking mediation and positive body language.
She urged both men and women to intensify efforts to combat gender-based violence and promote a peaceful community.
Meanwhile, PureTrust Foundation LBG has held similar fora in the Bole District and the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region.
GNA