G-REP Community Sensitization and Interactive Session – Narkwa

Renel Ghana Foundation, under the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project and in partnership with Songtaba, supported an interactive community sensitisation session in Narkwa, Ekumfi District. The session was led by CHRAJ, the Department of Social Welfare, and the District GES Gender Coordinator, and centred on the impact of gender‑based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV), survivor testimonies, and strengthening community‑based support systems.

Overview

What happened: An interactive sensitisation session brought together community members, faith and school leaders, health and social welfare staff, and community champions to discuss GBV and IPV and to reinforce local support pathways under the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project.

Purpose

• Raise awareness about the causes and consequences of GBV and IPV.
• Amplify survivor voices to humanise the issue and reduce stigma.
• Strengthen community support systems and clarify referral routes to district services.
• Mobilise local actors—schools, faith groups and champions—to prevent violence and support survivors.

Activities delivered

• Facilitated discussions on the social and health impacts of GBV and IPV.
• Survivor testimonies shared with consent to highlight barriers and pathways to help.
• Practical demonstrations on safe bystander action and confidential referral steps.
• Information sharing on legal protections, psychosocial care and school‑based prevention.
• Interactive Q&A with CHRAJ, social welfare and the GES Gender Coordinator.

Participants and roles

• CHRAJ: explained rights, complaint mechanisms and accountability.
• Department of Social Welfare: outlined psychosocial and case management services.
• District GES Gender Coordinator: discussed school‑based prevention and child protection.
• Community members: survivors, youth, women’s groups and opinion leaders.
• Community champions: volunteers identified to support follow‑up and referrals.

Outcomes and next steps

• Increased awareness: participants reported better understanding of GBV/IPV and available supports.
• Referral clarity: a draft referral list and contact points were shared; Renel Ghana Foundation to finalise and circulate.
• Champion mobilisation: volunteers committed to lead local sensitisation and safe referral follow‑ups.
• Institutional commitments: CHRAJ and Social Welfare agreed to receive and track referrals; GES to integrate prevention messages in schools.
• Next steps: finalise referral list within two weeks; train community champions on survivor‑centred response; schedule follow‑up sensitisation in neighbouring communities.

Monitoring and risks

Mitigation: leader endorsements, confidentiality protocols, and exploring mobile outreach or transport support.

Indicators: number of sensitisation events; champions trained; referrals made and completed; survivor feedback.

Risks: stigma, fear of retaliation, transport barriers.