Celebrating women
Mark your calendar because, on March 8, the spotlight will be on women as we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).
This year, UN Women and the United Nations are celebrating on the theme: DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. The theme aims to recognise and celebrate the contribution women and girls are making to technology. There are other themes around such as #EmbraceEquity.
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The Mirror celebrates all women for their unique achievements, experiences and contributions to making this world a better place.
While it is inspiring to see how the state of women has improved over the years, The Mirror believes it is also essential to remember that there is still a lot more to do to enhance the status of women because gender inequality, bias, stereotypes and discrimination against women still exist.
Taking a cue from the UN theme, it would be important for the government and all stakeholders to make great efforts to empower women in technology and the digital world because there is still a persistent gender gap in digital access that keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential.
Women and girls underrepresentation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers, which is a major barrier to their participation in tech design and governance.
The Mirror will also like to appeal to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to strategise and ensure that the celebration of IWD is felt at the grassroots level; that the ordinary woman on the streets feels appreciated and not just a few elite women gathered somewhere to celebrate.
Furthermore, in order for women’s issues to be given attention, there is a need to increase their inclusion and participation in decision-making, especially at the local level.
The 2021 Africa Barometer report on Women’s political participation revealed that in West Africa a mere two per cent of local government seats were held by women.
However, there has been an overall increase in women’s political participation across Africa over time although numbers are higher in some countries and lower in others.
In Ghana, only 38 women were nominated as MMDCEs in 2021 making up 14.62 per cent of the 260 appointees.
At the district assembly level in Ghana, the number of women elected has frequently fallen far below the minimum threshold of 30 per cent set by the UN.
Therefore, as we celebrate IWD, The Mirror would like to urge political parties and all stakeholders to encourage and support women in the upcoming 2023 local government elections. When more women are placed in decision-making positions, they bring about change, champion the cause of women, children, vulnerable, as well as strengthen communities.
Ayekoo to all women. Let us continue to put the spotlight on inspiring stories and women who are working, fighting and advocating in their little corners to empower and champion equality.