With support from the Alliance Reproductive Health Rights, Pro-Link is currently working directly with local government agencies and community members to ensure that the sexual reproductive and health rights of women and girls in the Hohoe Municipality are upheld. This program made possible due to a grant from (ADWF), has led to the creation of a micro-credit finance program for women’s groups in the Kadjebi District and education on sexual reproductive health rights.
We have been able to establish a self-sustaining revolving fund for women in Kadjebi to access micro credit to expand their businesses. Currently the women we are working with are processing gari, baking bread, making soap and some are ginger farming. The initial sixty(60) women who benefited from the credit scheme have started paying back into the fund enabling the second batched of thirty (30) to start. These women are now serving as role models in the communities for other women to emulate due to their ability to contribute income to their households, and by using funds effectively. Currently, three (3) additional welfare clubs have been formed making the total number seven (7) in: Avornyokofe, Kadjebi Zongo and Asato. These groups have been formed in order to help members support each other and to ensure repayment of loans and the continuance of this programme.
We have also coordinated 30 educational sessions in ten beneficiary communities to enable the women to explore the social root causes of violence and to critically examine some commonly held beliefs and myths fuelling violence against women. As a result of our work, we have started to chip away at the strong HIV stigma that exists in rural communities specifically, in Kajebi. We have also provided opportunities for these women to create their own autonomy, and agency, through our micro credit programme.
Through this partnership , we have achieved the following:
- Establishment of 9 HIV/AIDS support groups in the regions of Tema, Accra, Hohoe, Kadjebi, Aflao, Obuasi and Mankessim;
- Provisional and educational activities on HIV/AIDS, including voluntary counselling and testing, as well as referrals for female sex workers in Aflao and Obuasi;
- Provision of medical, economic, spiritual and psychosocial support;
- Capacity-building activities for People Living with HIV, including workshops in leadership skills, counselling skills and funds management
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