Two-day forum equips civil society actors with tools for survivor protection, human rights monitoring, advocacy, and accountability.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has intensified efforts to strengthen Ghanaâs civil society response to gender-based violence (GBV) through a two-day capacity-building and coordination forum for members of the Ghana Human Rights NGOs Forum.
Held from Tuesday, September 22, to Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Airport View Hotel in Accra, the forum brought together civil society organisations, community development groups, disability rights organisations, child protection advocates, womenâs rights organisations and other human rights actors.
The engagement was organised under the project âScaling Up Access to Rights-Based Integrated Gender-Based Violence Servicesâ and sought to enhance the capacity of civil society organisations to prevent and respond to GBV using human rights-based, gender-responsive, and survivor-centered approaches.
GBV remains a persistent human rights concern
Opening the forum, Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mercy Larbi, described gender-based violence as one of the persistent human rights violations confronting society, noting that it is rooted in discriminatory social norms, unequal power relations, and systemic institutional gaps.
She identified physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence; harmful traditional practices; sexual harassment; sextortion; and violence against vulnerable groups among the various forms of GBV.
According to her, tackling the problem requires more than isolated interventions aimed at individual cases.
She said meaningful progress would require a broader transformation of harmful cultural practices, deeply entrenched gender stereotypes, and structural inequalities that continue to expose individuals to violence and discrimination.
âWhile the state holds the primary obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of every individual, the Commission recognises that state mechanisms alone cannot eradicate gender-based violence,â she stated.
NGOs critical to protecting survivors
Ms. Larbi emphasised the critical role of non-governmental organisations and civil society groups in the national response to GBV.
She noted that NGOs serve as immediate responders, community educators, advocates, and important actors in documenting human rights violations, supporting survivors, and demanding institutional accountability.
She said the forum was therefore designed to strengthen the collective capacity of civil society actors to apply a rigorous human rights-based and gender-responsive approach to GBV prevention and response.
At the centre of this approach, she stressed, must be the dignity, safety, autonomy and participation of survivors.
Strengthening monitoring and collaboration
The first day of the forum focused on NGO collaboration, community engagement, and human rights monitoring.
Participants examined the relevance of the Paris Principles to civil society organisations, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and community engagement, human rights monitoring, and opportunities for sustained collaboration through the Ghana Human Rights NGOs Forum.
The discussions also covered gender concepts, including the distinction between sex and gender, gender norms, social norms, harmful practices, and the relationship between culture and human rights.
Participants further explored the obligations of the state to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights, as well as mechanisms for reporting and monitoring state compliance.
The forum also highlighted the role of civil society in monitoring government obligations under national laws and international human rights mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
Intersectionality and vulnerability
The second day turned attention to discrimination and intersectionality, with participants examining how multiple and overlapping forms of discrimination can increase vulnerability to GBV and exclusion.
The sessions explored the different forms, causes, and effects of gender-based violence, alongside strategies for prevention and response.
Particular emphasis was placed on survivor-centred approaches and referral pathways, with discussions focusing on how civil society organisations can strengthen support systems and ensure that survivors are connected to appropriate protection and services.
Legal frameworks and affirmative action
Participants were also taken through international and national legal and policy frameworks on gender-based violence.
The sessions examined existing legal protections and institutional responsibilities, as well as the role of affirmative action in addressing discrimination and promoting equality.
The discussions provided participating organisations with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of legal obligations and identify avenues through which civil society can strengthen advocacy, monitoring and accountability.
Digital threats emerging in GBV response
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence and online safety also featured prominently during the second day.
Participants examined emerging forms of GBV enabled or amplified by digital technologies and considered the importance of stronger online safety and data protection mechanisms.
The session highlighted the need for human rights organisations to continuously adapt their monitoring, advocacy and survivor-support approaches to address new forms of violence emerging in the digital space.
Towards stronger collective action
The two-day engagement underscored the need for sustained cooperation between state institutions and civil society organisations to strengthen prevention, survivor protection, referral systems, access to justice and accountability in Ghanaâs response to gender-based violence.
The forum also provided a platform for participating organisations to share frontline experiences, strengthen professional networks, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration through the Ghana Human Rights NGOs Forum.
In her closing message, CHRAJâs Deputy Commissioner expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its continued partnership and to participating organisations for their commitment to human rights and gender equality.
She urged stakeholders to translate the knowledge and strategies gained from the engagement into practical interventions capable of improving protection and support for survivors while strengthening monitoring and institutional accountability.
The forum ultimately reinforced the principle that ending gender-based violence requires sustained action across communities and institutions, backed by strong human rights protections, effective referral mechanisms, meaningful survivor participation, and accountable institutions.