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.
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