The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has organised an empowerment workshop for 'kayayei' to improve their health, economic security and personal safety, as part of efforts to support vulnerable women in the informal sector.

The workshop focused on reproductive health and wellness, financial inclusion and investment opportunities, as well as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the available reporting mechanisms.

The initiative was aimed at equipping female head porters with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and protect themselves from abuse.

Speaking at the programme, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the engagement formed part of the Ministry’s end-of-year outreach to ensure that vulnerable groups are not left out of national development efforts.

She stressed that 'kayayei' play an important role in the urban economy and must be empowered with information on their rights, welfare and future opportunities.

According to the Minister, educating head porters on reporting channels and support systems enables them not only to safeguard themselves but also to support others within their communities, creating a ripple effect that broadens the Ministry’s impact.

As part of the intervention, participants were given packed meals and essential food items, including rice and cooking oil, to support them and their families during the Christmas season.

Dr Lartey also highlighted key achievements of the Ministry over the past year, including the passage of the Social Protection Act, which she described as a major step towards strengthening the coordination and delivery of social interventions nationwide.

She added that several policies, such as the National Gender Policy, Domestic Violence Policy, Disability Policy, and the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, have been approved and will soon be rolled out.

Participants were urged to report all forms of abuse and rights violations through the Ministry’s toll-free helplines, 0800-111-222, 0800-800-800, and 0800-900-900, especially during the festive season, when female head porters are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and violence.