Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Ghanaian media coverage o f violence against women and girls: implications for health  
promotion  
 
Version: 0 Date: 13 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: Nancy Glass  
 
Reviewer's report:  
The study and findings are important to strategies to change social norms that sustain violence 
against women, for example, victim blaming, justifying the abuse by accusations of infidelity, 
acceptance of violence as normal part of women's life/commonplace .  Prior to publications, the 
authors could strengthen the manuscript by reducing the length with a brief overview of VAWG, 
specifics to Ghana and then moving into the important role of media on framing VAWG, including 
a conceptual framework.  The authors define the methods as case study but focus on framing using 
qualitative methods within the section.  Organize methods as design, setting, sample, analysis, 
moving limitations to discussion section.  The tables are not terrible useful, especially table 1 as  
the details are already provided in narrative.  Perhaps shortening narrative and referring to table 
would be more useful.  The discussion should highlight the advances in knowledge/evidence from 
findings and the implications for the findings in engaging m edia as partners in prevention and 
response - need more on the so what, how will these findings be used in Ghana and potentially in 
other settings to make changes.  I think inclusion in discussion of social/gender norms and how 
media has a role in supporti ng as well as changing norms would help to contextualize within the 
global movement to prevent and respond to VAWG.  I enjoyed reading the article.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an additional 
statistical review?  
If an additional st atistical review is recommended  please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
Not relevant to this manuscript  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
Needs some language corrections before being published  
Declaration of competing interests  
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