General News of Friday, 1 June 2001

Source: GNA

Women's Ministry to Establish Women's Development Fund

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women's Affairs, on Thursday said the ministry will soon establish a Women's Development Fund to help reduce poverty among women.

The idea is to assist women to set up income generating activities to support their families.In a speech read for her at the launch of Women's Refuge-Africa (WORA) and Horizon Girl-Child Development Programme (HOGDEP) in Accra Mrs Asmah said the fund would also assist victims of domestic violence.

WORA is a non-governmental organisation that seeks to provide temporary shelter for battered women, give counselling and build better life for victims of domestic violence.

It will also help women to have basic securities in life for better relationships with their husbands.

Mrs Asmah condemned domestic violence against women and children saying it damages the victims not only physically, but also emotionally and psychologically for the rest of their lives.

She suggested that women should be empowered to take their destiny into their own hands and move on with life. GNA