In a bid to promote equal rights for women and girls, particularly those with disabilities, women and girl-child-centered non-governmental organisation (NGO), Women In Need (WIN), has provided skills training, start-up support, and financial literacy programmes for 31 persons.

The project aims to equip women and girls with disabilities with essential skills that foster financial independence. Through life skills training and financial literacy programmes, participants are better prepared to manage the start-up kits provided to them.

Executive Director for Women in Need, Suzzy Arko, emphasised the organisation's commitment to bridging gender equality gaps in the society.

She said, "As part of promoting equal rights for women and girls with disabilities, financial literacy skills training plus start-up activities have been initiated."

A variety of vocational training opportunities are offered, including snail rearing, grasscutter rearing, and mushroom production. Previously, participants were trained in soap making and baking.

"This is to make them financially independent to be able to cater for themselves and their families," Suzzy explained.

Currently, 31 women are benefiting from these activities in Saltpond in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region.

Moreover, Women In Need operates in three districts in the Central Region: Gomoa West, Ajumako Enyan Essiam, and Mfantseman Municipality.

Martin Twumasi, Gomoa West District Coordinating Director, commended the efforts of Women In Need and their partners in empowering vulnerable individuals within the community. He stated, "They have been instrumental in empowering the vulnerable persons in the communities."

The project is a collaborative effort between Women In Need and their partners, including the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana and the African Centre for Human Rights and Sustainable Development. Implemented in the Central, Ashanti and Northern regions, the initiative aims to uplift women and girls with disabilities, promoting their economic empowerment and social inclusion.

WIN says it is committed to the total empowerment of women as an effective tool for poverty alleviation. “We aim to increase women’s capacity, through Entrepreneurial, financial literacy, life and livelihood skills training to ensure the independence and self-reliance of women and girls,” Executive Director of WIN stated.