Women in the Upper East Region are calling for equal rights for all women, girls, and persons with disabilities to rear poultry and livestock such as sheep, goats, local birds, and guinea fowl.
Their expression was based on existing gender norms in some communities in the region that restrict women and marginalized groups from engaging in livestock farming.
The women advocated that women, girls, and persons with disabilities should be given equal opportunity and support to rear livestock.
“We members of the Women Poultry and Livestock Association (WOPOLA) are advocating for all women, girls and physically challenged to have the rights to keep sheep, goats, local birds, and guinea fowls. We the women and girls, physically challenged, should be empowered through capacity building to keep sheep, goats, local birds, and guinea fowls, as well as agricultural activities such as food crops and vegetable farming,” Theresa Benedicta Alegmiah, Chairperson of WOPOLA, stated.
This call was made by the Women Poultry and Livestock Association (WOPOLA) on the occasion to mark International Women’s Day under the theme “For All Women and Girls’ Rights to Equality and Empowerment.”
The objective of the association is to mobilize women, girls, and persons with disabilities to go into poultry and livestock production for income and food security.
With support from the Savanna Investment Program, members of the association during the celebration of International Women’s Day embarked on a float through the principal streets of Bolgatanga holding placards to drum home the need for women, girls, and vulnerable groups to be given the equal opportunity and support to rear poultry and livestock.
Speaking at the event, Gertrude Derry, a representative of the Savanna Investment Program, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting women in agriculture.
“We have supported people in the past with small ruminants, sheep, and goats. We have supported specifically women in poultry production, especially layer. So, when we heard that, you people were into poultry production, and although Bolga Municipal is no more part of the project, our project coordinator saw the need to further ask what you wanted. And we are prepared to work with you people to help empower women,” she stated.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, commended the initiative and assured that the government is committed to breaking barriers hindering women’s progress.
“These barriers must be broken down through policy reforms, community support, and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders. As a government, we remain committed to ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights,” he indicated.
He reaffirmed the government’s plans to enforce the Affirmative Action Bill and announced plans to the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank to provide financial support for women entrepreneurs.