The acting Head of the Women Peace and Security Institute of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre has urged community actors to be champions of change by assisting authorities to put in place measures to eradicate gender-based violence.

Mrs. Agnes Agbevadi said this at the closing of a five-day gender-based violence sensitization workshop held at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho.

She noted that it is essential that community actors and all stakeholders take issues of gender-based violence very seriously and make urgent efforts to eradicate the menace in society.

Mrs Agnes Agbevadi, who was happy about the seriousness and commitment of the participants during the five days intensive workshop, noted that it is time for everyone to become catalysts of change.

She also urged them to fight for the rights of women, girls and children, and fight against dangerous social norms which are contributing to gender-based violence issues in the country.

Mrs Agnes Agbevadi noted that participants during the sessions extensively explored the intricacies of gender-based violence, analyzing its fundamental forms and causes, its profound effects on individuals and communities, and essential approaches and actions required to prevent and respond to it successfully.

She noted that with the collaboration of the participants, together they can cultivate empathy, solidarity and a shared commitment to combating gender-based violence.

"We have come together as diverse local actors representing various sectors, backgrounds and experiences. It is through these cross–cultural exchanges that we can cultivate empathy, solidarity and a shared commitment to combating gender-based violence at the national and community levels," Mrs Agebvadi said.

She noted that the fight against gender-based violence requires consented and sustained effort, collaboration and a steadfast commitment to promoting gender equality and human rights.

The acting Head of KAIPTC's Women Peace and Security Institute urged the participants to stay connected, continue learning and amplify their voices in the pursuit of a world free from gender-based violence.

Mrs Agebvadi pledged the commitment of the Women Peace and Security Institute [WPSI] and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre to do everything humanly possible in abolishing gender-based violence across the African continent.

She expressed her gratitude to the government of Norway for their generous support and unwavering commitment to promoting peace and security in Africa.

"We are immensely grateful for their trust and collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre," she said.

She also commended the expert facilitators and resource persons for their expertise and knowledge.

The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Mrs. Thywil Eyra Kpe, who was one of the expert facilitators, noted that eradicating gender-based violence is a shared responsibility and it is very necessary for all to come together to combat the menace.

Mrs Thywil Eyra Kpe, however, pledged that her doors are always open to everyone who has other ideas to help combat the menace.

Participants pledged to be advocates of change in their respective communities to help fight for the rights of women and girls and children and also fight against gender-based violence.

The actors were selected from the media, police, military, judiciary, health, gender ministry, social welfare, education, CSOs, FBOs and traditional leaders.