In commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) women’s groups have called on government and other authorities to expedite processes of instituting a policy to accelerate gender parity in institutions.
The policy when institute, according to them, will guarantee the inclusion of more women in leadership positions and decision-making activities and help to hold government unaccountable for low involvement of women in same.
The call came during the Northern regional celebration organized by the Regional Department of Gender in collaboration with Savannah Women and Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA), Songtaba and Pan African Organization for Research and Projection of Violence on Women and Children.
The event, themed: ‘Women in Leadership: achieving an equal future in a covid-19 world’, brought together women groups across the region to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on women, and to come up with workable measures to address the challenges.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Northern Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Hajia Bushira Alhassan noted that, in Ghana and across the world, women continue to face increased domestic violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty.
She added a study by Star Ghana Foundation on the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls indicate that Ghana has recorded an alarming rate of teenage pregnancies during the closure of schools, as well as increased sexual and gender-based violence.
According to her, the crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contribution and the disproportion burdens that women carry.
“Women stand at the lines of the COVID-19 crises as health workers, care givers, innovators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic.” she said.
Having regarded the contribution of women in society and to the economy of the country, the group called on government and other partners to extend their focus towards supporting women, especially with the needed resources to engage in their businesses.
The Executive Director for SWIDA, Hajia Alima Sagito Saeed also urged women to impact society positively with their positions, and encouraged them not to underrate any leadership position but rather make good use of them to benefit the society.
On her part, Deputy Programmes Director of Pan African Organization, Dr. Muma Bili charged women to continue the fight against gender inequality in the society, saying: “As women, we need to keep fighting to have equality in society. There are some places where women are not allowed to go due to culture. We are all human and need to be regarded as part of society.”
IWD is a set aside by the United Nation’s on March 8 to celebrate the economic, political and social achievement of women, past, present, future and most significantly to draw the world’s attention to areas requiring further action.
The 2021 theme focused on celebrating the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.
