Ending SGBV: HFFG seeks Justice for 12-year old rape victim

Rahama is a 12 years old girl from Vittin community, a suburb of Tamale Metro of Ghana. She was sexually assaulted by a young man believed to be in his late 20s. The incident left her psychologically traumatized and physically injured. Sadly for her and her family, the quest for justice hit a snag because they could not afford to pay GHS 800 ($140) for her medical form to be endorsed. This prevented her from filing the case at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

Through media report, HFFG as an implementing partner of SIMAVI on the Get Up Speak Out program, which seeks to ensure that all young people fully enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights came on board to facilitate the process of the medical examination which was done free instead of the initial amount of GHS 800.

HFFG also facilitated the submission of the medical form to DOVVSU office for official opening of a case docket prior to preliminary investigation. Food stuffs were also provided to the mother of the girl since life became difficult for her as a petty trader.

HFFG as a member of the Ghana Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance is committed to ensure Rahama gets the justice she deserves.

“I thought life was over for me but little did I know that there are others who cares about me and are willing to help me fight this case” a happy and hopeful Ramaha said.

“Indeed, there is hope for the hopeless, we didn’t believe our daughter would get help to pursue this case talk less paying the amount demanded by the health facility but HFFG from nowhere came to our rescue,” said a family member of Rahama.

The GUSO intervention has so far empowered over 22,000 young people reached with SRHR information to ensure they realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in societies that are positive towards young people’s sexuality.