“Victims of sexual and gender-based violence do not only need justice, they also need counselling, shelter and an array of support to facilitate a smooth reintegration into the society that is what we hope to provide through the Boame project”,

-        Mr Niyi Ojuolape, Country Representative of UNFPA Ghana.

UNFPA Ghana has held an inception meeting with professionals who will be working under its new initiative-the Boame Project—to  combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The volunteers, who come from diverse sectors and made up of different professions such as the  legal fraternity, civil society organizations, counselors, psychologists, medical doctors, SRHR & public health specialists, will provide support services to victims and survivors as well as  those at risk of SGBV.

According to Mr Rashid Saani from Legal Aid Ghana, “A victim’s first need after abuse is not just for justice, the person needs someone to confide in, they want a listening ear, someone to console their hurt and that is what Boame does.” He further commended the project noting that by the time a victim is referred to Legal Aid for legal support, the person will be in the right frame of mind to cooperate in order to bring perpetrators of SGBV to book.

The inception meeting brought together volunteers who have willingly signed up to volunteer their time on daily and weekly basis thus contributing their quota to ending all forms of SGBV and harmful practices. Dr. Agnes Ntibaryunwa, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ghana, remarked that the successful implementation of the initiative will translate into a lifesaving one for several women and girls.

Boame is a UNFPA initiative in partnership with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DoVVSU) as part of efforts to create a comprehensive and integrated system of support for survivors of SGBV. The project is implemented through a continuum support of services which includes, a helpline, essential support services (i.e Para legal support, psychosocial, medical and SRHR support) as well as the BOAME mobile App. It ensures that beyond victims reporting cases through the helpline, people whose conditions show signs of possible abuse will be empowered to avert it.