By Emmanuel Gamson, GNA
Lower Dixcove (W/R), March 13, GNA – The CEWEFIA, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has observed this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) with women fish processors, fisherfolk, community leaders, and other key stakeholders within the fisheries value chain.
The event, held at Lower Dixcove in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region, was under the theme: “Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls.”
It formed part of the NGO’s RISE Project, a gender-responsive conservation initiative, aimed at strengthening women’s participation in marine conservation and promoting inclusive and sustainable coastal livelihoods.
The project is implemented in collaboration with Hen Mpoano, and Ark Foundation, within coastal communities designated as Marine Protected Area (MPA), with funding support from the Government of Norway, and managed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Mrs Josephine Opare Addo, Programmes Manager at CEWEFIA, speaking on behalf of the Executive Director during the event said IWD served as a critical moment to educate the public on issues affecting women and girls, mobilise political Will and resources to address global and local inequalities, while also celebrating the achievements that women had made socially, economically, culturally, and politically.
According to her, the theme for the occasion was a reminder that equality could not exist where justice was absent.
Mrs Addo stated that across many communities, women and girls still faced structural barriers that prevented them from fully accessing justice.
“These barriers may include discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, limited awareness of rights, poverty, social stigma, and cultural norms that silence the voices of women and girls,” she said.
She called on government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, families, and individuals, to work together to stop these barriers to protect them from violence, discrimination, exploitation, and harmful practices.
“Justice must not only exist in our laws. That is why CEWEFIA continues to advocate stronger systems to protect women’s rights, promote decent work, and ensure that women’s voices are heard in decision-making processes affecting their lives and livelihoods,” she added.
Madam Maribel Akuorkor Okine, Western Regional Director, Department of Gender, called on stakeholders to move beyond commitments and advocacy to concrete actions to uphold the rights of women and girls in the fisheries sector.
She urged the participants to speak-up and seek assistance in times of issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and other forms of abuse in their homes and communities.
Mr Patrick Gyimah, Ahanta West Zonal Director, Fisheries Commission, acknowledged the vital roles of women in the development of fisheries sector, and encouraged them to speak up against injustice in society.
As part of the event, CEWEFIA organised a float through the Lower, and Upper Dixcove communities for the participants to drum home the need to protect women and girls from all forms of abuse and discriminations.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Linda Asante Agyei