By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, Mar 9, GNA – Mama Mexasukpa III, the Queenmother of Akorfe Avenui Traditional Area, has called on the government to prioritise the empowerment of women and girls, especially those with visual impairment.
She said girls with visual impairment had a lot of challenges in life including being overlooked, underestimated, and excluded from opportunities that should be available to all.
Mama Mexasukpa said this at programme organised by the New Horizon Foundation of the Blind in collaboration with the Ghana Blind Union Women Association and the Gender Department of the Volta Region.
She underscored the need for government to accelerate action to ensure that every woman, regardless of her physical ability, had equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and leadership opportunities.
“When we uplift women and girls with visual impairment, we uplift entire communities,” she said.
Professor Elizabeth Dzigbordi Obinnim, Dean of Students Affairs, Ho Technical University, said women and girls with visual impairment face unique challenges and barriers that prevented them from fully participating in society.
Prof Obinnim said they were often denied access to education, employment, healthcare, and social services, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependence.
“However, we also know that women and girls with visual impairment possess remarkable strengths, resilience, and determination. They are not victims, but agents of change,” she noted.
The Dean emphasised the need to acknowledge the critical role that inclusive rights and empowerment played in promoting the well-being and dignity of women and girls with visual impairment.
Dr Hawa Osman, Senior Assistant Librarian at the University of Heath and Allied Sciences urged government to develop comprehensive strategies to address challenges confronting girls with visual impairment.
She identified policy reform and enforcement, accessible education, economic empowerment, healthcare accessibility, support services, and awareness campaign as some strategies needed to be implemented to deal with the challenges facing girls with visual impairment.
Mr Eric Ofori, Director of the New Horizon Foundation celebrate the day in connection with their skills and livelihood empowerment for women with visual impairment and mothers of children with visual disabilities…
He said they wanted to celebrate the day with more inclusivity, the reason you brought women from your project target districts including Ho Municipal, Ho West Afadjoto South, Agortime Ziope and Central Tongu.
The Director said the project was funded by the Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) and the Germany Aid for the Blind (DBHW).
The Foundation also used the opportunity to exhibit some products produced by the beneficiaries of the skills for livelihood empowerment project.
GNA
MA/AD