The Executive Director of Voices of Women and Children with Disabilities in Ghana (VOWAC) – Madam Beatrice Akua Mahmood, has called on the government to help with efforts at empowering women and children with disabilities through targeted skills training. They should also give financial aid, proper legislative backing, and adequate recognition of institutions working hard to help persons with disabilities to survive in an economic climate that is not favorable to persons with challenges.

Speaking on the young people-led radio programme – CURIOUS MINDS – hosted by members of Children and Youth in Broadcasting, on GBC’s Uniiq 95.7 MHz in Accra, Madam Mahmood expressed worry at the state of women and children with disabilities in society. These persons with disability (PWDs) face varied inequalities due to stigma and a general disregard for their welfare by family members and the community at large. Some find themselves being tagged with derogatory names and get neglected altogether. They thus have to deal with emotional trauma resulting from the ill-treatment. In addition to this, they struggle to find sustenance on a daily basis. Most of them have had to give up on their dreams of having a good education and a decent job due to their challenges. Some continuously have to reach out to benevolent and well-meaning fellows for support for daily sustenance.

Relating her own experience to show how PWDs face challenges, Madam Dede Apeti, a member of VOWAC, said she lost her job after becoming visually impaired 12 years ago. She was not born with that condition. She was laid off from her travel and tour agency job after training a colleague to take up her task while she was on maternity leave. Her potential spouse’s family rejected her marriage proposal and left her a single parent. She was equipped with computer literacy skills by The Ghana Blind Union and received counseling from VOWAC and that strengthened her to move on from the state of despondency to one of hope. She then resolved to make it on her own. She has subsequently decided to further her education to make herself a better professional.

VOWAC Ghana is a non-partisan, Christian values-driven advocacy organization working to eliminate inequality and injustice as they promote fairness and the full enjoyment of fundamental human rights. VOWAC is also committed to furthering opportunities and empowerment of women and children with disabilities in Ghana. The membership is open to every child and woman with disability as well as caregivers of children with disabilities in Ghana. VOWAC also aims to ensure the political and social participation of women and children with disabilities. They actively support inclusive education and offer counselling services as well.
Another objective of the organization is to rebuild lives, restore dignity, respect, and hope among women and children with disabilities. In doing so, they support mothers or caregivers of children with disabilities and have in place specific programmes and initiatives that address stigmatization, discrimination, and poverty, among other challenges confronting women and children with disabilities and their caregivers.

To attain Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5, it is vital that we all give our quota to ensure good health and wellbeing and also eliminate inequalities. We can do so if we extend a helping hand to persons with disabilities and advocate their welfare and support