By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Mar 10, GNA – Madam Hannah Asamoah, Central Regional Director of the Technical Education Service, has advocated for the removal of cultural barriers and stereotypes that prevented equal opportunities for women in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
She said boosting female participation in TVET could have a significant impact on the economy by creating a more diverse workforce and increasing productivity.
Speaking at the Cape Coast Technical Institute on Monday to commemorate International Women’s Day, she highlighted the importance of empowering women to take on significant roles within the TVET sector, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men.
Various stakeholders of gender empowerment and heads of technical schools in the region took turns in answering questions from the students on issues of gender empowerment and personal development.
The engagement was to reiterate the vital need for gender empowerment through nurturing informed, respectful, and empowered individuals who could contribute positively to society.
The celebration was integrated with exciting drama, and poetry recitals not only to engage students but also cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and collaborative skills to promote awareness of gender issues.
Special energetic dance performances provided a powerful visual medium that conveyed messages about women’s rights and achievements through a combination of music, movement, and storytelling, leaving an impression on the audience.
Madam Asamoah’s call to action comes at a pivotal moment when the country is striving to enhance women’s participation in various trades such as construction, energy, engineering, tourism, and information technology.
She indicated that cultural perceptions such as associating technical vocations to only males often limited women’s opportunities in these sectors, which were crucial for national development.
By removing these cultural barriers, not only would individual lives be transformed, but it would also lead to broader economic benefits for the country.
“We must encourage women to break free from these stereotypes,” Asamoah stated, “and recognize their potential to excel in technical fields.”
Madam Sandra Osei, Principal of Gomoa Ada Technical Institute, imagined a world where women break barriers, thrive in male-dominated fields, and redefine the future of work.
She mentioned crafting transformative gender mainstreaming policies that dismantle stereotypes and discrimination through data-driven gender analyses to set ambitious targets for female participation, ensuring no woman is left behind.
On inspiration, she advocated career guidance design career programmes that empower women to step into non-traditional trades, spotlighting trailblazing female role models.
“Sweeten the deal with scholarships, childcare support, and flexible working hours—because dreams shouldn’t have limits.
Towards building inclusive TVET institutions she stressed the need to equip TVET staff with gender-responsive teaching methods and management skills to create inclusive learning spaces.
“We need to spark change on campus by establishing gender equality clubs where students can find support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging,” she said.
Similarly, she mentioned engaging communities to challenge societal norms with bold awareness campaigns that encourage families and communities to support women’s ambitions.
That she said could be achieved by partnering with industry leaders to open doors for women through internships in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Also, there should be tracking progress for impact by staying accountable by developing robust monitoring systems to measure progress on gender equality initiatives.
This dynamic approach, she said, will not only pave the way for more women to enrol in TVET programs but also empowers them to succeed and lead in fields once thought unreachable.
“Together, we can create a future where gender equality isn’t just a goal, t’s the norm,” she said.
At the end of the programme, some students took turns to ask pertinent questions bordering their minds and had answers from an array of competent TV ET stakeholders at hand.
GNA
KOA