Accra, March 8, GNA – Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organization with focus on health, has commended women leading the COVID-19 response.
The commendation, which was in a message to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), underscored the need for the Day to be used to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women in the national COVID-19 response.
International Women’s Day is being globally marked to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women under the theme: “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”.
In line with the theme, HFFG advocated that the Day be used to applaud the efforts of the many women, both young and old, who had dedicated themselves as frontline health workers and care-givers in the fight against the pandemic.
In the message issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency, by Mrs Cecilia Senoo, Executive Director, HFFG, on Monday, she said the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened the already existing gender inequalities with substantial implications for women.
“Several briefing notes by the United Nations have bemoaned the socio-economic and health impact of COVID-19 on women.
“However, the pandemic has also shown the resilience and strength of the Ghanaian woman, be it providing care at various health facilities, participating in risk communication in communities, participating in high level decision-making on resources for health and keeping homes together as wives and mothers.”
Mrs Senoo said the theme was perfect, looking at the critical role women were playing in the communities.
“Women make up a majority of front-line workers. In our health facilities, they are administering vaccines and medications. So if there is any better time for women to be appreciated, it is surely now.”
HFFG also called on state institutions, civil society, traditional leaders and faith-based organizations to continue to push for the active involvement of women in national development and an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.
“Pandemics such as COVID-19 compound prevailing gender inequalities and vulnerabilities, increasing risks of abuse. We equally join the United Nations and other international and national stakeholders to call for safety and dignity for women in all spheres of life.”
HFFG also urged the government to put women and girls at the heart of the national COVID-19 recovery efforts because women were harder hit by the impact of the pandemic.
GNA