The SOS-GrEEN Project in Kumasi is empowering women to be financially independent as a strategy to overcome gender-based violence and related issues that hinder equality.

Over 1,000 women in the Ashanti Region have been equipped with skills to run small businesses.

The project seeks to address financial dependencies that breed violence and maltreatment against women.

Statistics indicate that 31.9% of Ghanaian women have faced at least one form of domestic violence, including physical, economic, psychological, social and sexual abuse.

Team Lead for the SOS-GrEEn Project, Vincent Ohene Ntow, observed that the lack of sustainable source of livelihood for many women often accounts for such abuse.

Speaking at a sensitization outreach in Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, he expressed hope that the empowerment program to equip women with skills for financial independence can help improve the situation.

“We are of the firm belief that once women get a decent source of livelihood and they are economically empowered, they are able to move away from all forms of abuses,” said Mr. Ohene Ntow.

The first phase of the programme trained 381 women while the second phase is targeting almost 700.

“We invite men also in the outreach so that they will be educated and enlightened from all these forms of abuses that women go through under them,” said Mr. Ntow.

The outreach was to commemorate the International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women.

A beneficiary of the training, Rose Gyan, said the GrEEN project has given her a source of livelihood.

“The GrEEN training has helped me a lot, I've learned financial management and personal development. I have had an encounter with marital conflicts before. The man neglected his duties after our first child. It is through the GrEEN initiatives that I have been able to sustain myself and of my children,” she said.

The outreach had the goal to empower, educate and enlighten women on physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and on avenues to seek redress.

Assistant Social Development Officer at the Kumawu Social Welfare Department, Vera Gyamfi, observed that there are high cases of abuse in the Sekyere Kumawu district.

“We receive violence cases, paternity, custody, maintenance and others. But due to negligence, some bypass Sekyere Kumawu, and go to other places like Efiduase DOVVSU. We will be glad if people seek redress at the social welfare department before we do the necessary referrals to other agencies like DOVVSU, CHRAJ, and Courts,” she said.