International Women’s Day Address Delivered By Mrs. Marian Jemima Akua Adzroe On International Women’s Day Celebration

THEME: ACCELERATE ACTION
Distinguished and wonderful Women and our girls. As we mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we do so at a defining moment in our collective pursuit of gender equality.

Today, we honour the resilience, achievements, and boundless potential of women and girls across the world while acknowledging the persistent barriers that continue to limit their progress.

This year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," is not just a call to awareness but a firm directive—it compels us to move beyond rhetoric and enact bold, transformative policies that translate aspirations into reality.

The Journey So FarThirty years ago, the world gathered in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference on Women, a landmark moment that produced the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action a blueprint for advancing gender equality. Since then, many strides have been made, particularly across Africa.

In Ghana, the introduction of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy has enabled more girls to access education than ever before. The Kayayei Empowerment Initiative is offering skill development opportunities to head porters (kayayei), helping them transition from exploitative labour to sustainable livelihoods.

Women’s representation in leadership has also improved. We celebrate the appointment of women to key decision-making roles, such as Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the current Chief Justice of Ghana, and Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, the first Vice President of the Republic of Ghana’.

These achievements underscore progress, yet they also highlight the slow and uneven nature of change.Despite these advancements, deep-seated gender inequalities persist. Rural women, particularly in northern Ghana as well as certain rural settings in the Volta Region, still struggle with limited access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Gender-based violence remains a serious issue, with many survivors lacking access to justice due to social stigmas and weak legal enforcement. A case in point is the recent alleged gruesome murder of Joana Deladem Labani by her boyfriend. Additionally, the digital divide continues to widen, preventing many women from fully participating in the technology-driven economy.

The Imperative of Accelerated ActionTo truly "Accelerate Action," we must shift from incremental change to systemic transformation. The time for mere discussions is over now is the moment for decisive interventions. Economic Empowerment:Women make up the majority of Ghana’s informal workforce, from market traders to farmers. Yet, they often lack access to credit, business training, and fair market conditions. Policies such as the MASLOC (Microfinance and Small Loans Centre) initiative and the proposed Women's Bank by the current government must be expanded to provide women with financial resources to grow their businesses.

Additionally, equal pay legislation must be enforced to close the wage gap between men and women.Education and Skills Training:While education is improving, girls in rural areas still face challenges such as teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and limited access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Robotic Engineering education. Initiatives like the Girls-in-ICT programme must be strengthened to ensure that young women are equipped with digital and technological skills necessary for the future workforce.

Women in Leadership and Decision-Making:Women remain underrepresented in Ghanaian politics. Despite constituting more than 50% of the population, women hold only 14% of parliamentary seats.

We must advocate for policies such as affirmative action laws, ensuring women have fair representation in governance at all levels. Out of the 18 Municipal District Directors in the Volta Region, only 8 are females. Political parties must commit to nominating more female candidates and creating enabling environments for women to lead. Ending Gender-Based Violence:Gender-based violence continues to be a major issue, with many cases going unreported due to societal stigmas.

The Domestic Violence Act (2007) must be fully implemented, ensuring survivors receive justice and support services such as safe shelters, counselling, and legal aid. More importantly, we must challenge harmful traditional practices, including child marriage and trokosi (ritual servitude), which still exist in parts of Ghana. Bridging the Digital Divide:In today’s digital economy, access to technology is critical. However, many women lack the resources to acquire digital skills or start tech-based businesses.

The government and private sector must invest in women-focused technology training centres and provide affordable internet access to empower women in rural areas.Intersectionality and Inclusion:Women’s challenges do not exist in isolation.

Those with disabilities, visually impaired, physically challenged, and Mentally retarded and disability in any form should be supported, those from ethnic minority groups, and those in economically disadvantaged communities face unique forms of discrimination.

Policies must address these intersecting inequalities, ensuring that all women regardless of their background have the opportunity to thrive.

The Way ForwardAchieving gender equality requires collective effort. What must we do?Hold Leaders Accountable: Governments, institutions, and religious bodies must be held responsible for fulfilling their commitments to gender equality.

Progress must be measurable and transparent.Strengthen Partnerships: Collaboration between civil society organisations, religious institutions, NGOs, and the private sector will drive sustainable, large-scale impact.

Empower Young Women and Girls: We must prioritise mentorship, scholarships, and leadership training programmes that prepare young women for positions of influence.Use Data for Change: Policies must be evidence-based, informed by research, and constantly evaluated to ensure they are making real progress.Engage Men and Boys: Gender equality is not a women’s issue alone.

Men must be allies in this fight, promoting respect, inclusion, and fairness in their homes, workplaces, and communities.ConclusionWe cannot allow the legacy of Beijing 1995 to be one of unfulfilled promises. This International Women’s Day must be a turning point a renewed commitment to action, urgency, and impact.

The vision of a Ghana, an Africa, and a world where every woman and girl can achieve her full potential is not just an ideal; it is a necessity.Let us stand together, raise our voices, and forge a future where gender equality is not a distant goal but an undeniable reality.Thank you.