Mrs Joycelyn Adii, the Bono Regional Director of the Department of Gender is calling for collective approach to tackle emerging challenges inimical to the holistic development of women and girls in the region.

She said gender-based violence like wife beatings, rape and defilement were still common in the region, saying that decisive efforts were required to bring the situation under control and to preserve the dignity of women and girls.

Mad Adii made the when she speaking at a forum to mark the regional celebration of the 2026 International Women's Day held at Odomase, the Sunyani West District capital attended by queen mothers and school girls.

The Gender Department in collaboration with the Young Urban Women, a civil society organisation with support from ActionAid Ghana, a non- governmental organisation organised the forum.

Mrs Adii highlighted the relevance of the celebration on the International Women Day.

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