By Ebunoluwa Sessou

ONE of the key points of the 2019 International Women’s Day, IWD, is Gender Equality, the fifth Goal in the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.

Despite the widely acclaimed progress achieved towards gender equality and women’s empowerment under the MDGs (including equal access to primary education between girls and boys), women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

This is against the backdrop that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

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Research revealed that one in five women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 years, have reportedly experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner within a 12-month period and 49 countries currently have no laws protecting women from domestic violence.

The practices, including child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, are still prevalent which means that much work needs to be done to completely eliminate such practices.

According to reports, providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes, will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Implementing new legal frameworks regarding female equality in the workplace and the eradication of harmful practices targeted at women, is crucial to ending the gender-based discrimination prevalent in many countries around the world.

In his submission, Mr. Temitope Musowo, President, Blossom Africa Initiative, an NGO, said the campaign theme for the year 2019 International Women’s Day, Balance for Better, can be well situated within the context of Goal 5 of the SDGs: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,” which targets are to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere,eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres,including trafficking, sexual and other types of exploitation.

He explained that progress is being made at forging a more gender-balanced world. “The society is more conscious of that now than before, as cultural barriers and instructional barricades are being removed to ensure women and girls take their rightful place in the scheme of things.

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“Although, there is still more to be achieved to ensure a gender-balanced world, however , concerns are already being raised by various thinkers that as we push for women empowerment and participation, this shouldn’t be at the detriment of the male folks who may suffer neglect just to ensure women are given a chance.

“This concern seemed legitimate to the extent that it is being anchored on the fact that women should not be given a place above men just because they are women but only  because they merit it. Therefore, the consciousness for gender-balance should not override merit and competency.

“No doubt, women and girls everywhere, must have equal rights and opportunity and be able to live free of violence and discrimination. Women’s equality and empowerment is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. In short, all the SDGs depend on the achievement of Goal 5.

“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is a call to action. To ensure gender equality by 2030 requires urgent action to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination that still curtail women’s rights in private and public spheres. For example, discriminatory laws need to change and legislation adopted to proactively advance equality.

“The bitter truth here is that political power for instance, is given but you have to go for it. The womenfolk need to rally round themselves to collectively change the political landscape to favour the women.

“In the just-concluded elections, many women indicated interest in running for one office or the other, how many women voted for their fellow women? Most men who emerged winners got their victory through majority votes from women. So, many a times, women are their own enemy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Julia Atta, Production Manager for Milks in Nestle Ghana, noted that “For any woman in a male-dominated environment, even a genuine reason can become a woman’s excuse.

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For example, I felt I had to turn down an opportunity to go into production because I got pregnant, even though factory management made me an offer. At the time, I was unsure it was the right decision to join, as production was not seen as an ideal environment for my ‘condition’,” Julia said.

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Creating a solid pipeline of female talent across all levels enables more women to climb up the career ladder to top positions, which has a ripple effect of encouraging other women to achieve their goals.

“Being a career woman is never a burden or added responsibility, but a platform to inspire and motivate the people you are lucky enough to impact,” Julia continued.

“When a woman is appointed to a leadership role, some people believe this is because of a gender balance strategy and not based on merit. It must be based on non-discrimination, equal opportunities, competence and providing the right support for both men and women in the workplace. This is how we will be genuinely able to highlight and remove the roadblocks to career advancement at work,” she added.