WIN has trained 5 women with disabilities to undertake media engagement on TV, radio tabloids and social media. Champions were identified among the target group and trained to specifically hold advocacy engagements on various platforms to demand the change they desire for WGDs. The training was facilitated by Mr. George Frimpong, the former Central Region GFD president from the Ghana Blind Union (GBU).
The facilitator started his presentation with what advocacy is. He asked the women to brainstorm and each give her opinion on what it is, they all gave their views. He further explained how the media can be used for advocacy. She explained to the participants to take advantage of the availability of media especially social media to advocate for WGDs.
He went on to speak on rights. He explained to the participants what rights are and narrowed it down to disability rights. In their advocacy he empowered the women to learn the disability rights and educate the other WGDs and all persons with disability. “Disability does not limit a person’s rights, all persons including those with disability are entitled to fundamental human rights.” He drummed in that a lot of WGDs are not aware of their human rights and therefore they should educate them on their rights so that they seek redress when their rights are infringed upon.
Again, he continued with sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women. The 1992 constitution of Ghana Article 28 make these provision that; every child has the right to be protected from engaging in work that constitute a threat to his or her health, education or development and a child shall not be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. He mentioned some forms of violence as emotional violence, physical violence, psychological violence and economic violence. He added that any form of violence against WGDs are not allowed and should not be condoned. All forms of violence are wrong and must be frowned upon especially women and girls who are disabled. He asked the women to give some instances they would consider as SGBV. They all gave examples including some of their experiences.
After Mr. Frimpong’s presentation, Ms. Alswell Appiah came to facilitate a mock radio show with the women. She asked a question each on every presentation, after that she asked that “if a person phones in during a discussion and asked what she would do if she was a victim of SGBV, who could she report to”. Madam Monica responded that the person can go to social welfare office and report so that they can help her. Madam Cecelia Arthur shared her experience of how the family of a man who wanted to marry her rejected her because of her disability, however that did not stop her from achieving her goals as dressmaker. She added that she has become an icon among the women with disability in her community and respected by all including other women who are not disabled.
The team together with Mr. George Frimpong have visited Darling FM in Cape Coast. They had discussions on Rights especially rights of WGDs, Affirmative Action Bill, Equitable Employment Policy and Psychological stress among people with disability. In their discussions, Madam Maggita the Director for Special education of the Gomoa West District asked that children with disabilities should be educated and those who need medical attention should be attended to. He admonished the public not discriminate against persons with disability especially women.