Women's Development Center

The Need

• Currently, there are 20 million women living with HIV/AIDS worldwide
   
• 58% of the people living with HIVAIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are women between the ages l5-49.
   
• Women hold less advantaged economic, social and cultural positions in society.
   
• Women experience gender inequality in the home, workplace and educational system.
   
• Women are disproportionately affected by sexual and physical violence.
   
• There is a rise in female-headed households, with many living below the poverty line
   
• Women lack access to education due to gender discrimination, domestic demands, traditional practices, safety concerns and learning environments at school.

The Project

• The WDC has been developed to support the full participation of women and girls in every aspect of society through training and educational programs including HIV/AIDS awareness thereby effectively addressing gender inequality; and empowering women.
   
• The WDC is a community partnership promoting higher levels of confidence among women, to attain sufficiency and access to opportunities for further personal and business growth.
   
• Located within the All Nations University ~ANU) premises in Ghana, West Africa, the WDC is organized to provide women opportunities to develop life, literacy and entrepreneurial skills, enhance their academic qualifications and engage in life-long learning.
   
• The WDC functions as a teaching, meeting and communications center, where women obtain a variety of training, information and empoweniient services, including assistance in getting business start-up grants. In 2005, the WDC graduated 120 students. Presently. the Center has enrolled 400 women in 5 different levels of study.