In order to empower women with disabilities and build their self esteem, Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) has successfully started formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) in the six area councils of the FCT and Karu in Nassarawa State as part of their Break The Cycle Project supported by UKAID through CBM UK.
It is a known fact that Women and girls with disabilities are amongst the poorest of the poor and experience high levels of socio-economic exclusion. Therefore, the VSLA is geared toward supporting them to improve their socioeconomic status.
Through voluntary self selection, women with disabilities will form VSLA of 15 – 25 persons. The group is self-managed and would give them access to saving and loan facilities that are not readily available to them in their communities.
The small loans from the VSLA will enable them to set-up small businesses and be financially independent in order to combat the extreme forms of violence they face.
To ensure that the groups understand how the VSLA works, DRAC Livelihood Support Officers will be working closely with them in their various communities.
