Voices of Women and Children With Disabilities in Ghana (VOWACGhana), a disability rights advocacy organisation has called for targeted interventions for women with disabilities, instead of the generic approaches to seeking solution to challenges of women.
The Executive Director of VOWACGhana, Madam Beatrice Akua Mahmood, in interview with DisabilityNewsGH.com on the sidelines of a programme held by VOWACGhana recently to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, argues that even though the country may be making some gains in the area of women empowerment, such achievements have very little impact on the lives of women with disabilities due to systemic barriers.
She explains that there are different categories of women who have peculiar challenges; and in her opinion, the use of “one size fits all” approach in dealing with issues of women has resulted in the neglect of the concerns and needs of many women, including women with disabilities who form over 8.8% of the population of persons with disabilities in Ghana.
Madam Mahmood is, therefore, calling on the government and women rights advocates to address issues of women holistically; adopting a twin-track approach that tackles the specific needs of women with disabilities, while dealing with the others generically.
Madam Akua Mahmood is also calling for the inclusion of women with disabilities in the planning, implementation and monitoring of policies, projects, and programmes to ensure that their views and concerns are appropriately captured and addressed.
She believes that the struggle of women with disabilities for recognition, education, employment, start-up capital for entrepreneurship, and many other needs would be alleviated significantly if such strategies are adopted in the fight for equality for women.
VOWACGhana is a non partisan and non-profit organisation which advocates for the fullest realisation and enjoyment of fundamental human rights and inclusion of women and children with disabilities and caregivers of children with disabilities in Ghana.
It aims to empower women and children with disabilities and caregivers economically, politically, educationally, socially and offer counselling services. It also aims to react and speak on violence, harmful cultural and social practices against women and children with disabilities in Ghana.
Other objects include to rebuild lives, restore dignity, respect and hope among caregivers of children with disabilities, women and children with disabilities in Ghana; as well as to develop specific programmes and initiatives to reduce stigmatization, discrimination, poverty, among others confronting caregivers of children with disabilities and women with disabilities in Ghana, among others.
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SOURCE: DisabilityNewGH.com