CHRAJ partner UNFPA to build capacity of human rights NGO Forum on gender-based violence in Ghana

by Caleb Morgan · September 24, 2026

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a two-day capacity-building and coordination forum for members of the Ghana Human Rights NGOs Forum to strengthen civil society responses to gender-based violence (GBV).

The engagement, held from Tuesday, September 22, to Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Airport View Hotel in Accra, was organised under the project, “Scaling Up Access to Rights-Based Integrated Gender-Based Violence Services.”

It brought together representatives of civil society organisations, community development groups, disability rights organisations, child protection advocates, women’s rights organisations and other human rights actors.

The forum sought to strengthen the capacity of participating organisations to apply human rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to GBV prevention and response, while deepening collaboration, monitoring, advocacy, and accountability.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ Mercy Larbi described gender-based violence as one of the persistent human rights violations affecting societies and linked it to discriminatory social norms, unequal power relations, and institutional gaps.

She identified physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence, harmful traditional practices, sexual harassment, sextortion, and violence against vulnerable groups as forms of GBV requiring coordinated action.

According to her, addressing GBV requires more than isolated responses to individual cases and demands sustained efforts to confront harmful cultural practices, deep-rooted gender stereotypes, and structural inequalities.

“While 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,” she said.

Civil society’s role

Ms. Larbi said non-governmental organisations and civil society groups remain indispensable partners in the fight against GBV because of their proximity to communities and their roles in responding to violations, educating the public, advocating for survivors, and holding institutions accountable.

She said the two-day engagement was designed to strengthen the collective capacity of civil society organisations to apply a rigorous human rights-based approach to GBV prevention and response.

She stressed that a survivor-centered approach must place the dignity, safety, autonomy, and participation of survivors at the centre of interventions.

The forum also examined ways to strengthen collaboration among NGOs, improve referral pathways, enhance community engagement, and strengthen the monitoring of human rights violations.

Participants discussed how civil society organisations could monitor state compliance with national laws and international human rights obligations, including through mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

Focus on monitoring and advocacy

The first day of the forum focused on strengthening NGO collaboration, community engagement, and monitoring.

Key areas included 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.

Participants were also taken through fundamental gender concepts, including sex and gender, gender norms, social norms, harmful practices, and the relationship between culture and human rights.

Discussions further explored the obligations of the state to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights, as well as mechanisms for reporting and monitoring state compliance.

Intersectionality and survivor-centered response

The second day focused on discrimination and intersectionality, examining how overlapping forms of discrimination and vulnerability can increase individuals’ exposure to gender-based violence and exclusion.

Participants explored the different forms, causes, and effects of GBV, as well as strategies for prevention and response.

Particular attention was given to survivor-centered approaches and referral pathways aimed at ensuring that survivors can access appropriate protection, support, and justice.

The sessions emphasised the importance of recognising the different circumstances and vulnerabilities of individuals when designing and implementing GBV interventions.

Legal and policy framework

The forum also examined international and national laws and policies relating to gender-based violence.

Participants discussed the role of legal and policy frameworks in protecting human rights and preventing GBV, including the use of affirmative action as a tool for addressing discrimination and advancing equality.

The discussions provided civil society actors with practical insights into legal obligations, institutional responsibilities and opportunities for advocacy and accountability.

Technology-facilitated GBV

An emerging area of concern addressed during the forum was technology-facilitated gender-based violence and online safety.

The session examined the changing nature of GBV in the digital environment and the need for strengthened online safety and data protection mechanisms.

The inclusion of technology-facilitated GBV in the programme highlighted the need for civil society organisations to adapt their human rights monitoring, advocacy, and survivor-support strategies to emerging forms of digital harm.

Call for stronger collaboration

The two-day engagement highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between state institutions and civil society organisations in preventing gender-based violence, protecting survivors and strengthening access to justice.

The forum provided participating organisations with an opportunity to share frontline experiences, deepen their understanding of human rights and gender issues, and identify areas for continued collaboration through the Ghana Human Rights NGOs Forum.

Opening the forum, Mercy Larbi expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its continued support and to the participating organisations for their commitment to promoting human rights and gender equality in Ghana.

She urged participants to translate the knowledge and strategies gained from the engagement into practical interventions that would strengthen GBV prevention, survivor protection, referral systems, human rights monitoring, and institutional accountability across the country.