By Muniratu Akweley Issah / Addo-Dankyi Delphina
Accra, Mar. 08, GNA- Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, Caretaker Minister, Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has advocated the integration of gender issues into plans and budgets to address inequalities leading to gender mainstreaming at all levels.
Madam Koomson said investing in women was not only an economic strategy, but human, social, and health rights.
She said this when the Ministry and its partners joined the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day celebration on the global theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate progress”.
International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world, every year, to recognise and celebrate the Social, Economic, Culture and Political achievement of women and their contribution towards national development.
The 2024 global theme seeks to draw attention to the importance of investing in women to promote human rights, work towards building inclusive societies and reduce poverty among women.
The Caretaker Minister said it was necessary for the country to consider policies that enhanced equality and the full integration of women into the national development process suitable for growth.
“I urge us all to create an all-inclusive environment that will help promote diversity, investment and effective collaboration for women in Ghana, on this day, we salute and celebrate women’s achievements and call for increased advocacy for the promotion of gender equality, equity as well as women and girls empowerment,” she stated.
Madam Koomson said government had placed maximum importance on efforts of empowering, promoting and protecting the rights of women, affording them the platform to propel their innovations and ingenuity.
She added that the Ministry had reviewed and updated a national gender policy, which sought to create equal opportunities, which would address the social, culture, economic and political gender imbalances to promote a progressive increase in the active participation of women in public life.
“Currently, the Social Protection Bill is before parliament for debate that will provide a good opportunity to promote the full employment and decent work for the vulnerable who are mostly women to ensure their protective inclusive in ending poverty in all forms,” she added.
The Minister applauded all women in the country for their immense contribution to national development as well as male champions for supporting the cause of gender equality, equity and women empowerment.
Madam Juliet Amoah , Deputy Director, Emerging Public Leaders (EPL), said investing in women was necessary for progress across all sectors.
Madam Mercy Needjan, President, Greater Accra Market Women Association, congratulated all women for their efforts towards national development.
GNA