Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) Vice President, Mrs Linda Asante Agyei and 14 others around the globe have been hornored as super women for their distinguished roles in ensuring the health and wellness of their people in their respective countries.
These women were honoured by Manipal Hospitals, India’s second largest multi-specialty healthcare providers and a pioneer in healthcare during a webinar for women worldwide to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day.
The other super women included Selima Ahmad, MP and President and Founder of BWCCI, Director of Nitol-Niloy Group, Bangladesh; Naaz Farhana, President, Dhaka Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Dhaka, Bangladesh; Dr Mariyam Shakeela, President, Addu Women’s Association (AWA) Maldives; Mrs. Shirley Jayawardena – President – Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka; Judie Kaberia, Executive Director for the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK); Maltilda Chimwaza , Malawai Daily Times , Malawi; and Dr Rose Reuben , Executive Director , Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA), Tanzania;
The rest were Ladi Bala National President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Nigeria; Ndih Maureen – President, Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ – Doula); Promise Akanteh – Radio Jockey at Royal FM Cameroon. The webinar was supported by the National President, Comrade Christopher Isiguzo; the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigeria; and Solomon Agborem, National President, Cameroon Association of Media Professionals.
Speaking on the global theme for International Women’s Day: “Break the Bias,” Mrs Agyei entreated women to challenge themselves by taking up leadership positions, while bearing in mind that they were like the foundation and pillar of every building and “once the foundation collapses, the entire building will fall flat.”
Mrs Agyei who is a senior editor working with the Ghana News Agency, has been reporting on health and science for about 25 years.
As the Vice President, she has championed the health needs of journalists promoting healthy eating and the need for journalists especially female journalists to stay health and they discharge their duties in the male dominated field.
Balancing a career and that of the family is extremely stressful resulting in them suffering from various health issues throughout their lives. It is, therefore, important we take good care of our health at every stage of our lives, from regular health problems to severe problems.
Addressing the audience, combined statement by all super women is, ‘A woman’s health is influenced by her personal biology as well as her sociocultural, economic, and physical surroundings. These factors have an impact on the overall quality of their lives. A woman’s well-being is the most important factor above all. At various phases of their lives, women suffer from a variety of healthcare challenges. Today, it’s very important for them to priorities their health. While much has been said about this, their health has not received the attention they deserve.”
Speaking on the women’s healthcare needs Mr. Karthik Rajagopal, Chief Operating Officer, Manipal Hospitals said, “Every woman, from a little girl to an elderly woman, suffers from several health challenges throughout her life.
He encouraged women of every age group to understand the importance of their health and to start a conversation around women’s wellbeing, adding “Manipal Hospitals believes that every woman deserves to live a healthy and happy life.”
GNA