Ahead of the March 8, 2021 Women’s Day celebration, the Gender Unit of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is hosting its counterpart, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to deliberate on the progress made in developing gender strategies for their respective countries.
This year’s celebration, which is hinged on the theme: “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 World,” is to accelerate the action towards gender parity.
Therefore, the purpose of bringing the two countries together is to provide a unique opportunity for them to share their experiences on the process, scope and focus of their respective gender strategies.
It is also to conduct a rapid assessment of the structure and the status of the Gender Units’ progression towards fully implemented strategy which will form the basis for future evaluation of the impact of the gender strategies of both countries.
Additionally, it is intended to institute a model of technical cooperation between the NIS and GIS to set a standard, inspire the other ECOWAS member states and prepare the basis for future multi-lateral engagement in the region.
The program is being sponsored by the Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM) and in collaboration with International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and International Organisation on Migration (IOM).
Speaking at a short ceremony to commence the deliberations yesterday, Madam Adelaide Annor Kumi, Chief Director at the Ministry of Interior who represented the sector Minister-Designate, Mr Abrose Derry, indicated that it is good that the two security agencies have considered adopting measures to help women in the Service manage work and caring responsibilities especially in a pandemic era.
Citing the International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Madam Adelaide said that women are leading the health response team of the pandemic and this is which is exposing them to a greater risk of the pandemic. Aside this, women are shouldering much of the burden at home, school and child care facilities, she said: “It’s is therefore necessary that policy responses are developed to cater for women’s need.”
She indicated that this policy should consider the peculiar needs of men and women, considering their respective gender roles and responsibilities.
The Comptroller General, GIS, Mr Kwame Asuah-Takyi, who also addressed the gathering, indicated that society becomes secured when women are at the helm of affairs so there is the need to create initiatives that promotes gender equality.
He said the GIS on its part, has made attempts to increase women participation by establishing a gender Unit in 2019 and has constantly ensured that more women are recruited into the service whenever recruitments are being done.
The Comptroller General said that the Service is developing a gender policy that will help regulate activities and called on government to support GIS rollout the plan.
He expressed his delight about the meeting of the two security agencies and called on other ECOWAS countries to emulate the two.
The Assistant Comptroller -General, NIS, Madam Edith N. Onyenenam, in indicated that gender mainstreaming holds immeasurable potentials for the development of the Africa continent and the world as a whole and hence expressed her teams delight in being part of the program.
She said the forum will be a good opportunity for both countries to introduce ideas, concepts and platform to extend the frontiers of gender mainstreaming across borders.
Maria-Luisa Troncoso, Head of Governance Section, Delegation of the European Union to Ghana, who also spoke at the ceremony commended the example of Ghana and Nigeria and indicated that the collaboration is a testament to their commitment to improve gender issues.
Toeing the line of Mr Asuah-Takyi, Madam Maria-Luisa also called on other ECOWAS member states to emulate imitate Ghana and Nigeria by forming alliances with their neighbouring countries to discuss gender issues and formulate good polices.
The post GIS, NIS meet to discuss gender issues ahead of Women’s Day celebration appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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