This March, Sarah's Inn is spotlighting women working across the globe to end domestic violence and gender-based violence.

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Photo Credit: Assembly.malala.org

Akosua Agyepong

At 19, Akosua Agyepong helped found the Pearl Safe Haven, an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence, abuse, and rape in Ghana. According to the organization, “38.7% of Ghanaian women between the ages of 15 and 49 years have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner.”[1] Akosua said in an interview in 2021, “The idea was to have a safe haven, a shelter for survivors and victims of sexual and gender-based violence. We want to make sure that if a woman wants to leave her abusive relationship, that she doesn't need to think twice, that she knows where to go.”[2] In 2020, she was selected as a 2020 Women Deliver Young Leader. Akosua believes that, “The elimination of all forms of violence against girls and women is possible, but it will take the efforts and resources of everybody, young and old, to make this a reality.”[3] She adds, “I am proud that I can be a part of this fight against violence, and I hope that you will join me too.’”[4]

To learn more about Akosua Agyepong, please visit:

https://womendeliver.org/16-rad-changemakers-who-are-working-to-end-gender-based-violence/

https://assembly.malala.org/stories/ending-hiv-stigma-in-ghana-and-beyond

To learn more about The Pearl Safe Haven, please visit: https://www.thepearlsafehaven.org/


[1]“About Us.” The Pearl Safe Haven, Ghana. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.thepearlsafehaven.org/about-us.

[2]Ochefu, Amara. “Ending HIV Stigma in Ghana and beyond - Assembly: Malala Fund.”Assembly. Assembly, September 1, 2021. https://assembly.malala.org/stories/ending-hiv-stigma-in-ghana-and-beyond.

[3]“16 Rad Changemakers Who Are Working to End Gender-Based Violence.” WomenDeliver, November 25, 2020. https://womendeliver.org/16-rad-changemakers-who-are-working-to-end-gender-based-violence/.

[4]“16 Rad Changemakers Who Are Working to End Gender-Based Violence.” WomenDeliver, November 25, 2020. https://womendeliver.org/16-rad-changemakers-who-are-working-to-end-gender-based-violence/.

 

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