Chief Justice Calls for Collective Action to End Gender-Based Violence
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie warns that tackling gender-based violence requires a united effort from all sectors of society
- Chief Justice says no single institution can end gender-based violence in Ghana
- Digital abuse is rising, creating new challenges for survivors and the justice system
- Collective action, reforms, and accountability are essential to protect women and girls
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has warned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Ghana, which occurs in homes, communities, and increasingly across digital platforms, cannot be eradicated by any single institution.
Speaking on his behalf at the Law Court Complex during the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV on Wednesday, December 10, the Chief Justice cited national data showing that one in three women in Ghana experiences physical, emotional, or sexual violence, noting that the nature of abuse is rapidly evolving.
“Gender-based violence, whether in our homes, communities, or digital platforms, cannot be eliminated by just the police, the courts, or civil society alone. It requires all of us, united by purpose and commitment, to uphold the dignity and safety of every individual,” he said.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie highlighted the rise of digital abuse, noting that modern violence now travels through WhatsApp messages, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online threats, cyberstalking, and relentless digital humiliation.
The event, themed “Upholding Rights, Delivering Justice: The Role in Curbing Gender-Based Violence in Ghana”, aligned with the global theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” Participants included queen mothers, social welfare officials, civil society organizations, DOVVSU, the Cyber Security Authority, UN Women, and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana.
The Chief Justice warned that Ghana has “entered a new era of violence” and must therefore “enter a new era of justice.” He cited recent tragic cases, including a man who set his wife and children on fire and a teenage girl in the Ashanti Region assaulted and filmed, illustrating how digital spaces have become new crime scenes.
Despite existing GBV laws, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted that many survivors do not report incidents due to slow justice processes, fear of blame, or lack of confidence in outcomes. He stressed that judicial reforms must reflect these realities.
The Judiciary has begun implementing gender-sensitive court procedures, integrating human-rights approaches, and training judges to handle GBV and digital evidence cases. “Justice is a chain; if one link breaks, the survivor falls through,” he said.
He envisioned a system where survivors feel safe using the courts, perpetrators face consequences both online and offline, violence is no longer normalized, and partnerships among CSOs, media, academia, and development partners are effective and consistent. Achieving this, he said, requires accountability, transparency, innovation, and empathy.
Deputy Judicial Secretary Justice Patricia Naa Afarley Dadson described GBV as one of Ghana’s most pressing human rights concerns, emphasizing the new challenges posed by digital abuse.
Dr. Charity Binka, Chairperson of AWLN Ghana, highlighted that globally 137 women are killed every day, often by intimate partners or family members, noting that behind every statistic is a story of pain, resilience, and shattered lives. She stressed that GBV is a societal issue, not just a women’s issue, perpetuated by silence, shame, and harmful stereotypes.
