Justice and Advocacy
Village Aid enables communities to fight injustice and challenge corruption by extending legal services and building confidence to defend rights.
We make people aware of their rights, enabling them to familiarise themselves with the laws that protect them. Through our partners, beneficiaries receive legal support enabling them to gain legal advice on issues affecting them. We also carry out campaigns advocating for the rights of the excluded and vulnerable on issues that directly affect them, such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and forced marriages.
Advocating for Good Health
HIV/AIDS in Manya Krobo, Ghana is a major issue. Despite many interventions put in place to curb the spread of the virus, the prevalence rate keeps on rising. In Ghana, while the national prevalence rate of HIV dropped, in Manya Krobo it had risen to 8.9%
Health workshops in maternal health and HIV/AIDS are regularly organised by our partner YOWE to highlight the issues facing young people. People are made aware of HIV/AIDS, maternal health issues such as teenage pregnancy, abortion and breastfeeding, child spacing and unprotected sex.
Tackling Forced Marriages
The practice of forced marriage is widespread in parts of Ghana. Even though it is an infringement on women's rights, the lack of information about rights and the law in communities means women cannot defend themselves against this.
Simli Aid has set up a para-legal scheme that has been successful in educating and promoting the rights of community members in the areas where Simli works.
Sanatu was 15 years old when she was taken out of school and told she would have to marry an older man. Her mother, who was a Reflect participant and knew the importance of education, was against her removal from school. She sought advice from the community legal committee. They tried to get Sanatu's father to reconsider but he was adamant. The legal committee reported the case to the Ghana Commission on Human Rights which resulted in Sanatu being sent back to school and continuing with her education.
Today, Sanatu is still in school and wants to become a doctor. Seeing the impact education has had on Sanatu, her father has ensured all his children complete their education.