Hon. Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, Member of Parliament for Salaga-South Constituency and Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender and Children, has officially launched a groundbreaking report titled “Unequal Risk: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among Youth and Persons with Disabilities” during a high-level virtual webinar hosted by SEND Ghana on October 25, 2025.

The report, described as a “call to action”, exposes the alarming prevalence of SGBV among two of Ghana’s most vulnerable demographics — youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs) — and provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen national protection systems.

 

Key Highlights from the Launch

Speaking as the chief launcher, Hon. Hajia Zuwera emphasized the urgency of inclusive policy reform:

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“This is not just a report — it is a mirror to our society’s failures and a roadmap to justice. We cannot build a Ghana where some are safe and others are not. Every young girl in Salaga-South, every disabled child in Tamale, deserves equal protection.”

 

1. Research & Collaboration

• 9 months of field research across 5 regions (Savannah, Northern, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta).
• 1,200+ respondents including survivors, caregivers, and service providers.
• Partnership between SEND Ghana, UNFPA, Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), and the Parliamentary Gender Committee.

 

2. Alarming Findings

Group	SGBV Prevalence	Key Risk Factors
Youth (15–24)	1 in 3	Online harassment, school-related abuse, early marriage
Persons with Disabilities	1 in 2	Physical isolation, dependency on caregivers, lack of accessible reporting

• 68% of PWD survivors never reported due to inaccessible police stations and communication barriers.
• 41% of youth victims faced victim-blaming by family or authorities.

 

3. Policy & Programming Recommendations

• Establish SGBV desks in all district police stations with sign language interpreters.
• Integrate SGBV education into BECE and SHS curricula.
• Amend the Disability Act to include mandatory safe reporting mechanisms.
• Fund community-based safe spaces in rural constituencies like Salaga-South.

 

Inclusive Protection: A National Priority

Hon. Hajia Zuwera, speaking in her dual capacity as MP and Vice Chair of the Gender Committee, announced:

“This report will be tabled before Parliament in the next sitting. We are pushing for a Private Member’s Bill to mandate SGBV risk assessments in all public institutions.”

She revealed that Salaga-South will pilot:
– A mobile SGBV reporting app in Gonja and Twi.
– Disability-friendly shelters in partnership with DOVVSU.

 

Reactions from Stakeholders

• Mr. George Osei-Bimpeh, Country Director, SEND Ghana:
  

  “Hon. Zuwera’s leadership has elevated this from research to policy action. This is how change happens.”

• Madam Esther Akua Gyamfi, GFD President:
  

  “For the first time, PWDs are not just statistics — we are priorities.”

• Nana Ama Agyemang, Youth Advocate (Salaga):
  

  “Our MP is fighting for us in Accra. No more silence!”

 

Why This Matters

With 1 in 3 Ghanaian women experiencing SGBV in their lifetime (GDHS 2022), and PWDs 3x more vulnerable (WHO), the report fills a critical data gap. It aligns with:
– SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
– Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act
– President Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy (safe night movement for women).

 

Next Steps

• Parliamentary Debate: November 2025
• National Rollout: Pilot in 10 constituencies by March 2026
• Funding: GHC 2.5M sought from UNFPA, EU, UKAid

 

Under the bold leadership of Hon. Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, the “Unequal Risk” report is more than a document — it’s a movement for justice. From Salaga-South to the national stage, she is proving that one voice can protect millions.

As she closed the webinar:

“SGBV thrives in silence. Today, we break it — together.”