|
Funding for gender programmes
decreasing
Accra, Nov. 28, Ghanadot/GNA - Ms Afua Adotey, Public
Relations Officer of the International Federation of Women
Lawyers, Ghana (FIDA) said on Tuesday that funding for
gender based programmes in the country was decreasing and
called on the government to increase funds for that.
She said funding currently remained the greatest challenge
to organizations that advocated for gender issues and
stressed the need for national policies on funding of gender
programmes.
Ms Adotey was speaking at a dinner organized by the Ark
Foundation, an advocacy based human rights non-governmental
organization with a major focus on protection and promotion
of the human rights of women and children.
The dinner dubbed: "Advocates Nite Out" is an annual event
organized by the Ark Foundation to encourage networking
among women groups in the country and abroad.
This year's dinner was organized as part of a programme
called: "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence."
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an
international campaign organized between November 25 and
December 10 every year to educate people on the need to stop
violence against women and respect human rights.
Various women activist groups and the sector ministry in
charge of women and children's affair were at the dinner to
show solidarity with the Ark Foundation
Ms Sarah Mukasa, Director of Programmes at the African
Women's Development Fund agreed that funds for women's
programmes were decreasing and said it seemed that women's
interest had been ignored.
She hinted of a forthcoming Aid Effectiveness Conference and
called on the women groups to participate to present their
challenges and achievements.
Mrs Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Executive Director of the Ark
Foundation, launched a manual on HIV/AIDS and said there was
a link between gender and HIV/AIDS and noted that women were
more vulnerable to the infection because of their biological
make up.
Speaking on the theme: Demanding Implementation, Challenging
Obstacle: End Violence against Women," she said the 'Nite
Out' was organized to give information to women groups,
NGOs, Policy makers and to bridge the gap between women
groups and policy makers.
Mrs Dwamena-Aboagye expressed her gratitude to all those
supporting the course of women empowerment and asked for
stronger network between them.
GNA
|
