First Lady hosts Ghanaian women on International Women’s Day

By Lydia Asamoah, GNA

Accra, March 9, GNA - First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo says achieving gender parity was a responsibility of both men and women and so women especially, must rise up to ensure that it was attained within a reasonable period.

“Achieving gender parity and giving other women the dignity of economic independence is our responsibility. It takes me and you. We can, and we will do this”, the First Lady said, at a meeting she hosted as part of the celebration of International Women’s Day which is marked world-wide on March 8, every year.

The theme for the day is “Be Bold for Change”, and the occasion was used to share ideas on how to empower more women into leadership positions, and to change their lives, their families and society.

The First Lady pledged to forge women’s advancement, saying, “I will advocate more political inclusiveness of women”.

The meeting, which was attended by some former first ladies, women groups and other distinguished women in the country also discussed the global theme and looked for ways to achieving gender parity.

Among the former First Ladies who attended the meeting were Mrs Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Mrs Fulera Limann, and former second Lady, Hajia Ramatu Mahama.

Other dignitaries included Mrs Samira Bawumia, wife of Vice-President Dr Mamuodu Bawumia, the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Dr Joyce Aryee, Mrs Frema Osei Opare, Chief of staff and some women in the entertainment industry.

Mrs Akufo-Addo explained that during last year’s celebration, the world pledged for parity and organisations and individuals committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, challenge conscious and unconscious bias, call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men’s contributions equally, and create inclusive flexible cultures.

She however, said the World Economic Forum had predicted that gender gap would not close entirely until 2186.

“We cannot wait that long. This is why the idea of being bold for change is so important. What if we all worked together to take actions and make contributions that would get us closer to gender parity? We would sooner than later have a generation of women who are equal partners with men in all spheres of life” Mrs Akufo-Addo said.

While paying glowing tribute to Ghanaian women who had made great contributions to get Ghana closer to gender parity, she urged women to forge on to make more women take their rightful places in society.

She particularly, saluted Nana Konadu Agemang Rawlings, who led the fights for women’s economic empowerment and “Nana Yaa Asantewaa who taught us that gender, size or circumstances should not stop us”.

 “But we know we still have a long way to go. There is so much more to be done. Our women cannot wait any longer, our girls cannot wait any longer. We have customary laws that discriminate against women in ownership of land. We still have violence against women. Women are less likely to get financing. Women lack the necessary support to participate in politics. In many respects, the glass ceiling remains for many women”, she said.

Mrs Akufo-Addo urged society to use the occasion to pledge to make significant difference in the lives of women.

Mrs Agyemang Rawlings who spoke on the topic “Gender Parity and Politics” said Ghana was now witnessing more women getting into public life and that was good for the democracy being practiced in the country.

She however urged female Members of Parliament to approach all women issues with a bi-partisan approach so that such issues could be addressed holistically.

“Female MPs should reach out to women and address issues affecting women holistically”, she said.

Dr Joyce Aryee who also spoke on Gender Parity in the Church, said there was so much disparity in the church although God created men and women equally.

She said such disparity could be changed by women themselves as they rise up and do their parts so they could be counted, adding that, women should not allow human dogma to hinder their progression in life.

Other speakers spoke on Gender Disparity and the World of Work, Gender Disparity and Access to Finance and Gender Disparity and Sustainable Development.

GNA

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