The culture of silence surrounding abuse on university campuses is under fire as the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) leads a bold new dialogue on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and its devastating impact on mental health.
On Friday, February 27, 2026, students and advocates gathered at the North Campus Mini-Conference Room to declare a “zero-tolerance” policy for violence in lecture halls and hostels alike.
A Moral Obligation to Protect
Ms. Patricia Kaitoo, Director of GMD-UEW, made it clear: addressing SGBV is not just a policy—it is a moral and institutional duty.
Institutional Role: As an institution training future leaders, UEW is committed to a safe, inclusive environment where dignity is protected.
Ambassadors of Change: Students are being urged to step up as ambassadors, actively promoting respect and reporting abuse wherever it occurs.
The Shadow Pandemic: SGBV as a Health Crisis
The dialogue, held in partnership with Human Rights and Development Services (HURDS) and the UEW-SRC Women’s Commission, highlighted that SGBV is both a human rights violation and a public health concern.
The “One in Three” Reality: Citing UN reports, Ms. Eva Ankrah of HURDS noted that one in three women has experienced violence.
The Price of Silence: Beyond physical harm, sexual violence leads to severe trauma, anxiety, declining academic performance, and teenage pregnancy.
Legal Consequences: Experts warned that sexual offenses carry heavy penalties under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act (Act 29) and the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732).
Breaking the Mental Health Taboo
Why do victims stay silent? Dr. Alfred Anovunga, a Counseling Psychologist at UEW, pointed to a toxic mix of dependency on perpetrators, fear of retaliation, and the stigma of not being believed.
Mental Health is Not Weakness: Dr. Anovunga stressed that mental health challenges are genuine medical issues, not signs of weak faith.
Professional Support: The UEW Counseling Directorate is now prioritizing professional, structured assistance to help survivors heal and break the cycle of abuse.
The Call to Action: “You Are Not Alone”
Student leadership is standing in solidarity with survivors. Adepa Priscilla Appiah, Women’s Commissioner for CoMSSA, sent a clear message to victims: “The student leadership believes and stands with you”.
How to Report & Seek Help: Victims and witnesses are encouraged to use these formal channels:
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development.
UEW Counseling Directorate and Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.
The message from Winneba is loud and clear: Break the silence together until violence ends and justice prevails.
