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07.03.2009 Sports News

Press Statement: Ark Foundation congratulates women

07.03.2009 LISTEN
By myjoyonline


Another IWD is here again, a day when women and men all over the globe meet to mark the day in a grand style.

It is a day when women all over the world irrespective of borders, language, distance and politics come together to take stock of the status of women and assess how far the plight of women has been or is being addressed.

The Ark Foundation, Ghana wishes to use this opportunity to salute women the world over for holding on despite the numerous challenges that confront them.
- The Ark salutes the women of Ghana – Market women, Teachers, Nurses, professionals and many others.
- The Ark salutes women's rights activists, advocates and gender activists for their relentless effort in the protection and promotion of the rights of women in Ghana.
- The Ark also salutes women who took part in the recent elections. For those who lost, we say do not be discouraged, try again!!
- The Ark salutes all female parliamentarians, female Ministers, Deputies and government officials who have been nominated by President Mills.

The Ark acknowledges the immense contribution of women to the socio-economic development of Ghana and reiterates the fact that the nation would not have come this far without the involvement of women in the independence struggle and other socio-political endeavours. There is no profession that can be described as the preserve of men; and the fact that women have moved beyond traditionally assigned roles to all areas of endeavours that are not only challenging but are ground breaking, attest to this.

One would have thought that women would have gained true equality by the 21st Century. Despite the fact that women comprise a little more than half of the world's population and perform two thirds of the world's work; they unfortunately, (according to United Nations statistics) earn one tenth of the world's income and own just one hundredth of the world's property. This is a travesty!!!

Women's rights organizations and like minded institutions are encouraged by the promises of President Mills to ensure that women form 40% of all his appointees and await the fulfillment of this promise. We wish to add that in the event that President Mills is able to honour his promises of 40% representation, this will not necessarily generate into empowerment of women or culminate into equal access to opportunities for women.

The Ark demand a more structured and holistic approach by the new administration to tackling the issues confronting women. We therefore call on the President and his new administration to ensure that:

- National and Regional House of Chiefs make provision for the inclusion of Queen Mothers.
- They through affirmative action, ensure women's increased access to employment, health, education, political spaces at all levels (national, regional & districts), capital etc.

They intensify public education against negative socio-economic practices that discriminate against women and children especially girls.

The Ark wishes the President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and his new administration well. We congratulate Ms Akua Dansua, the Minister for the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC) on her confirmation. We hope the standard of living for women in Ghana will improve tremendously during this administration.

And to all women of Ghana we say ayekoo!

Signed ………………………………
Blessing Agboada
Advocacy Officer
The Ark Foundation, Ghana

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