Giving a voice to women with disability from Togo
- Togo Country
- 135.272 € Investment
- 2022-23 Length
The challenge
In Togo, women with disability or with a child with disability are marginalised and discriminated against by the rest of society.
Prejudice is founded on long-lasting mystical beliefs which see disability as a curse or the effect of a spell or evil spirit. This represents a barrier to the development of women with disability and mothers of children with disability. The absence of social policies by the government also results in exclusion and stigma given that these women are considered a burden to their families and society.
Consequently, the rights of these women are barely recognised and many live in extreme poverty: they seldom access basic social services, are often illiterate and lack financial resources to get by.
The solution
We have joined forces with the APROFEHTO association, a local organisation that works for the rights of women with disability in Togo.
Together, we deploy actions in five districts of the Maritime region, in the south of the country, by:
- Organising workshops to train women, help them learn to read and write and make them aware of their rights and how to exercise them.
- Enhancing their knowledge around hygiene, a balanced diet and the fight against NTDs to improve health.
- Integrating women with disability and mothers of children with disability in collaborative savings and credit groups with the aim of improving finances.
- Supporting environmentally sustainable activities to generate income.
- Raising awareness among community leaders to eliminate stereotypes and avoid stigma around these women.
Impact
Women with disability and mothers of children with disability can actively exercise their rights through this initiative.
This will impact their finances, health and demand a space in Togo’s society where their voices can be heard.
Related projects
See other projects where we combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
Clean water against forgotten diseases
Chiépo is a rural community of 5,372 inhabitants in Ivory Coast with a strong presence of NTDs such as the Buruli ulcer and leprosy. Deficient hygiene and sanitation practices are also frequent here.
Change led by Zè women
Women’s leadership is key to stopping NTDs and the violence women suffer. Through this initiative, we have encountered different groups of women who became involved in awareness-raising activities from the start.
A clinical trial to reduce the treatment time for the Buruli ulcer by half
After decades combatting the Buruli ulcer, which affects thousands of people in over 33 countries, we are still unaware of its exact mode of transmission. We know it is related to environments with stagnant and unsafe water.
Stopping gender inequality to improve health in the Côte d’Ivoire district of Divo
We work alongside the Ivorian organisation Génération Femmes du Troisième Millénaire (GFM3) in the Divo health district. Our aim is to drive forward local development by improving living conditions for women, with a focus on fighting NTDs
Ending NTDs in Gagnoa by 2023
To combat NTDs in Gagnoa, we work in collaboration with the Ivorian Ministry of Health via their National Programmes to fight against leprosy and the Buruli ulcer.
Disability associated with neglected diseases
Disability associated with neglected diseases continues to be one of the most discriminatory factors for those suffering from these diseases.
A healthy and sustainable future for the women of Zio
We have partnered with JVE, a local organisation, to improve women’s quality of life, health and financial security.
Basic water and sanitation services for Upper Denkyira East
The population of Upper Denkyira East lacks basic access to water and sanitation services, resulting in a higher transmission of infectious and diarrheic diseases such as NTDs.
Tackling NTDs through a gender equality perspective in Ghana
Women suffering from diseases such as NTDs are even more vulnerable to poverty and lack of opportunities.
Giving voice to people suffering from NTDs to improve their participation in society
There exist evidence of lack of inclusion and participation of people with skin-NTDs in most community activities.
Hand washing and new wells to tackle yaws in Akuapim
Akuapim North and South Districts, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has seen an increase in yaws cases since 2020.
Freeing Aowin district from the burden of skin-NTDs
Yaws, Lymphatic filariasis and other skin-NTDs cause suffering and disabilities in communities of the Aowin district in Ghana, in the South-western part of the country.
Bringing about a change of attitude to reduce NTDs in Ellembelle
By the end of the project we envision a behavioural change towards skin-NTDs in the endemic communities suffering from them, resulting in a lower prevalence of this diseases and greater acceptance of those suffering from any NTD.
Reducing NTDs in 13 endemic district of Eastern Ghana
Alongside Hope for Future Generation and Rural Watch, the project will be implemented in 13 NTD endemic districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
A path to a full recovery that includes mental health
By strengthening the capacity of health workers to tackle the consequences of NTDs on mental health, we will support a full recovery of patients.
Partnerships with mental health organisations in Ghana
By supporting Basic Needs, a Ghanaian organization that work for social inclusion and opportunities for people suffering from mental health, we are tackling different aspects that improve the life quality of people with NTDs.
Supporting the Ghanaian Upper East Region to end NTDs
This project forces to tackle the problems faced by people affected with skin NTDs in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
WASH, mental health and microcredits to improve the livelihood of NTD-affected people in Ghana
By implementing WASH activities and other health related activities, we will further provide alternative opportunities to ensure that persons affected by skin-NTDs are capable of working to improve their livelihood.
