84% of Ghanaians exposed to sexual and gender-based violence – SEND GHANA report

A new report by SEND GHANA has uncovered alarming levels of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) affecting youth and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) across the country.

The report, titled “Unequal Risk of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence among Youth and Persons Living with Disabilities,” highlights the persistent and pervasive nature of SGBV in Ghanaian society.

According to the findings, 84% of respondents said they had either experienced, witnessed, or heard of SGBV. Of these, 68% reported that such incidents occur occasionally, while 15% indicated that they happen regularly—underscoring how deeply rooted the problem remains.

Among the various forms of abuse reported, physical violence emerged as the most prevalent (42%), followed by sexual violence (32%), verbal abuse (16%), economic abuse (7%), and psychological abuse (3%).

The study revealed that both youth and PWDs are at significant risk, with PWDs facing unique vulnerabilities due to challenges in self-defence and barriers in reporting cases.

For instance, 28.6% of PWDs reported experiencing physical violence, compared to 32.06% among those without disabilities.

The report also raises concerns about SGBV occurring in spaces typically perceived as safe.

Homes were identified as the most common sites of abuse (65%), followed by schools (14.7%). Incidents were also recorded in workplaces (4.6%) and religious institutions (0.4%), revealing that no setting is entirely free from the threat of violence.

Beyond the prevalence of violence, the report sheds light on significant barriers that prevent survivors from accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.

The lack of information about available services was cited by 21.6% of respondents as the main obstacle, while 21.3% identified fear of judgment and stigma from healthcare providers as major deterrents.

SEND GHANA warns that underreporting, social isolation, and limited awareness may contribute to an underestimation of the problem, particularly among persons with disabilities.

The organization calls for urgent, targeted interventions to address the issue, including increased public awareness, improved protection mechanisms, and stronger institutional and community support systems.