Our WILMED project focused on strengthening the livelihoods and economic security of women in rural Ghana through improved livestock production, access to animal health services, financial inclusion, and leadership development.
Women in Livestock Microenterprise Development (WILMED)
Status: Completed (WILMED ran from June 2025 through June 2026)
Goal: To improve the livelihoods and economic security of women and girls through strengthened livestock production, improved access to animal health services, and increased women’s leadership and participation in decision-making.
Location: Ghana
Reach: WILMED directly reached 3,023 people, including 2,591 women and girls.
🔗 Download the WILMED Project Brief (PDF)
The Situation
In rural Ghana, poultry and livestock are important sources of food, income, and economic opportunity, yet women farmers in underserved communities often face limited access to animal health services, technical knowledge, financing, and decision-making opportunities. Productivity and household security are further threatened by animal disease, gaps in livestock management, and climate pressures. Strengthening women’s skills, access to services and finance, and leadership is therefore key to supporting healthier animals, stronger livelihoods, and more resilient communities.
What We Achieved
From June 2025 to June 2026, WILMED worked alongside women farmers, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), veterinary professionals, women-led groups, and community stakeholders to strengthen livestock production, expand access to animal health services, and increase women’s economic opportunities and participation in decision-making. Using a gender-responsive One Health approach, the project combined practical training and community-based animal health services with financial inclusion, leadership development, and community engagement.
Key results include:
Beyond the project's funded period, the CAHW network continues to provide local animal health services, while the revolving loan fund and savings groups continue to expand women's access to finance. By combining stronger animal health systems with financial inclusion and women's leadership, WILMED established community-based systems that can continue supporting healthier animals, stronger livelihoods, and greater resilience.
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Advancing Gender Equality
WILMED recognized that strengthening women’s livelihoods also means addressing the barriers that can limit their voice, safety, and participation in their households and communities.
Alongside leadership and economic empowerment activities, the project supported community engagement on gender equality, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), adolescent reproductive health, and girls’ education. Traditional leaders, schools, health professionals, media, and civil society organizations were engaged to build awareness and strengthen support for women and girls.
In Central Tongu District, this work contributed to the development of a community-led action plan to support vulnerable groups and strengthen local responses to GBV. Women participating in WILMED also reported greater confidence in leadership, business management, and household and community decision-making.
Our Partners
WILMED was made possible through the generous support of the Peter Gilgan Foundation, whose funding enabled VWB and WIPVaC-Apex Ghana to bring together animal health, women’s economic empowerment, and One Health in a single community-led initiative.
Thank you to the Peter Gilgan Foundation for investing in greater opportunities for women and girls in Ghana.
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