ActionAid Ghana and Movement Groups Champion a Bold Call to End GBV with a Basin March Campaign in Ghana.

Every year, the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign led by ActionAid Ghana and its social movements in Ghana reaffirms powerful reminder of how women and girls are still faced with inequality despite the strides we have made in eradicating this menace over the past years. Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment among others) are still being perpetrated and announced year on year. 

For 16 days, the world rose in collective defiance against one of humanity’s most persistent injustices — violence against women and girls, and NGOs such as ActionAid Ghana have been at the heart of campaigns and education on GBV over the past three decades. The 2026 global 16 Days of Activism against GBV was marked in the Upper East Region with a powerful display of solidarity and public advocacy led by YUWM, COMBATs, and SHWFM, with support from AAG. 

In line with this year’s theme, “Unite to end digital violence against women and girls”, AAG social movements organised a basin carrying route march amid traditional drumming and dancing on Wednesday 10th December 2025 in Bolgatanga in the Upper East region in northern Ghana to draw public attention to the heavy burdens women continue to bear because of entrenched gender roles, as well as the rising issues of violence experienced in digital spaces. 

The exercise was used to practically demonstrate the multiple responsibilities, pressures and emotional loads women carry on a daily basis. Nearly, 1 in 3 women – estimated 840 million globally have experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime. 

When the procession started, the basins, the drums, placards, the flags and the chants instantly captured public attention as messages such as “Her burden is heavy, End GBV!”, Women’s Rights are Human Rights! and Women Carry the World’s burden - Stop the Violence!” echoed across the streets, drawing the interest of traders, commuters, and residents who looked closely to understand campaign. The campaign emphasized a call to action and helped people to easily connect and relate the symbolism of the basin with the heavier metaphorical weight of gender inequality and violence.

The Reality of GBV in Ghana

Nearly half of women in some districts across Ghana are exposed to domestic violence, with the Central Region emerging as the country’s highest-risk area. This is according to the latest District-Level Small Area Estimation findings released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), based on data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey and the 2021 Population and Housing Census.

The Central Region recorded the highest prevalence of physical violence at 44.6%, followed by Savannah (42.9%) and Volta (40.2%). The Volta Region also posted the highest levels of sexual violence at 22.3%, significantly above the national pattern. It was followed by the Central and Savannah Regions at 19.6% each, while the North East Region recorded the lowest incidence at 5.2%.

In contrast, districts in Bono, Bono East, Upper West and North East Regions recorded far lower levels of physical violence, some falling below 25%, underscoring significant protection gaps across the country. While we appreciate these relevant strides in these regions, we commended the work of Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil society groups whose advocacy and thorough education has empowered communities and individuals. 

• Digital violence — including online harassment, non-consensual sharing of images, and cyberbullying — continues to rise, with young women and girls being the highest-risk group.
• Across Ghana, 27.7% of women have faced at least one form of intimate partner violence, with northern regions recording some of the highest prevalence rates.

The Basin: A Human Story of Burden and Inequality

In many households across the Northern belt of Ghana, the basin is not just an everyday tool, it is a symbol of survival. Spinning from a context inspiration, it reflects the unpaid care work women shoulder from dawn to dusk. It also represents the miles walked for water, the hours spent at markets, and the emotional labour borne quietly within homes.

And as a social justice organisation, we see the basin reflecting another truth, the invisible burdens women carry:

• The burden of fear: Upper East regional police data shows a persistent rise in domestic and intimate partner violence cases, especially affecting young women.
• The burden of silence: Stigma, fear of backlash, and limited access to survivor-centred services still deter many from reporting abuse.
• The burden of digital violence: With increasing mobile penetration, online abuse, non-consensual image sharing, harassment, and cyberbullying—has surged, impacting girls as young as 14.
• The burden of inequality: Deep-rooted cultural expectations, social and gender norms continue to normalize and trivialize gender-based violence and restrict women’s autonomy.

Joining many across the globe, AAG and movements through the basin march, made brief stops at strategic locations to deliver short messages to people on forms of GBV, including digital violence such as cyberbullying, non-consensual sharing of images, hacking etc. Activists boldly carried a strong message and unambiguous message, thus; Digital spaces must be safe for women and girls; Survivors deserve justice — without shame, without delay; Harmful stereotypes must be dismantled, not reinforced and Media must amplify survivor stories and promote equality-driven narratives.

After the march, the movements held a presser where they delivered a press statement to journalists from various media houses, including TV, radio stations and online media platforms across the region. 

The press statement highlighted the heavy burdens women face emanating from sociocultural and gender norms, unpaid care work, GBV and gender inequalities. They called for stronger laws, better enforcement, protective measures online and offline, among others. The statement also emphasised the role of the media in reporting responsibly and promoting survivor-centred narratives.

ActionAid Ghana’s Impact: Building Safe Communities Through Feminist Approaches

For over 30 years, ActionAid Ghana (AAG) has championed the rights of women and girls, especially in northern Ghana. This campaign forms part of the many done by ActionAid Ghana throughout it operational regions and districts totally to over 60 districts across 11 regions. 

Our impact in the Upper East continues to be transformative:

• COMBAT Teams: With over 100 trained volunteers across the region supporting community-based prevention, early reporting, and referral of GBV cases.
• Empowering Young Women: Through our YUWM, thousands of young women have been trained in leadership, digital literacy, bodily autonomy, and advocacy.
• Policy Influence: AAG has supported district-level and national campaigns to strengthen laws, child protection frameworks, and survivor support services.
• Community Sensitization: Yearly, AAG’s programmes reach over 112,237 community members with awareness education on GBV, digital safety, and harmful norms.

This year’s 16 Days of Activism reaffirms that ending GBV requires more than awareness, it requires structural change, advocacy, and collective responsibility.

 As a relentless social justice organisation, ActionAid Ghana calls on all stakeholders to act with urgency and compassion to ensure that:

• Communities reject harmful norms and support survivors.
• Institutions must strengthen accountability and protection mechanisms.
• Men and boys must stand as allies for equality.
• Every citizen must commit to ending violence; online and offline.

At AAG, we believe in a Ghana where every woman and girl lives free from fear, free from violence, and free to thrive. Together, we can build a just, feminist and resilient Ghana, offering equitable opportunities for all citizens.

Written by Jacqueline Parditey and Akuka Yakubu.