March 8 marks the International Women’s Day, a day set aside annually as a focal point in the women’s rights movement as it gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations is: “Accelerate Action”, which seeks to draw some attention to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activities that positively impact women’s advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation.
The day is a public holiday in several countries. The UN observes the holiday in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women’s rights.
The celebration of the day in Ghana is usually spearheaded by the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection.
Activities such as public forums, symposia, radio and television talk shows and focused-group discussions usually characterize the celebration of the occasion across the country.
At a public forum to mark the occasion in Sunyani, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Women Opportunities and Development (AfWOD), Precious Mariam Hamidu, emphasized the importance of investing in women as a means of driving national development.
“When women are empowered economically, socially, and politically, the entire community thrives. This year’s theme resonates deeply with our mission at AfWOD, as we continue to advocate for policies and programs that enable women to achieve their full potential,” she stated.
The event featured a panel discussion with women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and gender advocates, highlighting challenges and opportunities in advancing women’s rights.
Key topics included closing the gender pay gap, enhancing access to education and healthcare, supporting women in leadership, and eliminating gender-based violence.
Miss Hamidu stressed the need for gender equality, economic empowerment, and policy reforms to uplift women and girls and called on the government, corporate sector, and development partners to prioritize investments in women’s initiatives.
“We urge stakeholders to commit more resources to skill development, financial inclusion, and social protection programs. Sustainable progress is only possible when women have equal opportunities to succeed,” she added.
In a related development, the Indigenous Women Empowerment Network, (IWEN) a non-profit-making organization has announced plans to launch Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub this year.
This is to support indigenous women entrepreneurs with resources, training, and mentorship as well as encourage innovation and economic empowerment.
In a Press Release to mark this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations, IWEN further hinted that it was in the process of developing a digital platform to preserve and share indigenous knowledge, languages, and traditions.
This, according to IWEN, is to ensure that cultural heritage is accessible and celebrated globally.
“The Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (IWEN) proudly joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2025. This year’s theme, “Championing Equity and Innovation,” highlights the vital role of Indigenous women in driving transformative change and fostering inclusive growth in their communities and beyond”, the statement said.
“International Women’s Day is a celebration of the incredible contributions of women worldwide, and a call to action to ensure equity and opportunity for all,” said Celestina Maame Esi Andoh, Co-Founder and Executive Director of IWEN. “At IWEN, we are dedicated to empowering Indigenous women by providing them with the tools and platforms they need to innovate and lead.”
Credit: Rbnewshub.com
