Dr Freda Prempeh, the Founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has urged the government and the civil society community to tackle barriers, inimical to the holistic growth and development of women and girls with forms of disabilities.
As the world marks the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), Dr Prempeh, a former Member of Parliament, and former Minister of State said women with disabilities ought to be empowered enough to realise their potential in life, advocating the preservation of their fundamental human rights and dignity.
The IWD, which falls on March 8, was instituted by the United Nations (UN) and celebrated annually to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, calling for removal of barrier’s development.
Dr Prempeh, gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Ahafo region when she touched on the global theme for the 2026 celebration: “Give and Gain”.
She explained that the UWF sought to inspire and empower indigenous and vulnerable women and girls to know their worth and empower them advocacy, and social development to well position them realise their potential and contribute to the development of society.
However, Dr Prempeh expressed regret that many women, and girls with disabilities went through social exclusion, basically because they often left out or neglected in the decision-making process at the community level.
“In fact, as a nation we aren’t sensitive enough in identifying and tackling the needs of women and girls with disabilities,” the former MP also a former minister of state stated.
Dr Prempeh noted that girls and women with forms of disabilities suffered psychological abuses when they were denied access to healthcare and education that manifested in unfriendly nature of educational, health and sanitary facilities.
“It is unfortunate that even many toilet facilities in society are unfriendly to them. As a nation, do we even consider them in decision making processes?” the MP questioned.
Dr Prempeh said when women with disabilities were empowered economically, they could not only manage their lives well but also contribute to the upkeep of their families and progressive development.
“So, I think together we must all upscale the advocacy for policy reforms towards addressing the plight of women and girls with disabilities. It isn’t their fault to be disabled, and they can do best in politics, academic and social life if we give them our support” she stated.
Generally, Dr Prempeh noted that women remained exposed to harm, violence, and abuses as well as discrimination, calling for a strengthened judicial system to serve justice to abused women.
GNA
